From 18 August, the new EU Batteries Regulation (2023/1542) replaces the previous Batteries Directive. After this date, sustainability, labelling, and safety requirements for all batteries and battery-operated products must be complied with. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors whose batteries do not comply will have products removed from the market by enforcement authorities and face financial penalties. UK-based operators who place or put into service such products within the EU must also comply.
The EU Batteries Regulation covers the entire battery life cycle, including raw materials procurement, battery production, and battery reuse and recycling. It also introduces new categories of batteries according to their use and design. Not only will economic operators have to comply, third-party verification will also be required for some aspects.
Grant Gibbs, senior manager for energy storage at TÜV SÜD, said: “Companies throughout the supply chain have no time to waste if they want to continue selling their products on the EU market after 18 August. The EU Batteries Regulation introduces significant changes to enhance the sustainability and safety of batteries and battery-operated products. The regulation seeks to promote transparency and responsibility throughout the battery supply chain.”
To help businesses understand the overall framework and timelines, TÜV SÜD’s experts have developed a free white paper – “An Overview of the EU Battery Regulation”. Key requirements within the regulation relate to battery passports, restricted substances, carbon footprint, recycled content, performance and durability, safety, labelling, battery health monitoring, economic operator due diligence checks, and waste management.