EU mandates replaceable batteries by 2027 (2023)
Source: Hacker News
A new law to ensure that batteries are collected, reused and recycled in Europe is entering into force today. The new Batteries Regulation will ensure that, in the future, batteries have a low carbon footprint, use minimal harmful substances, need less raw materials from non‑EU countries, and are collected, reused and recycled to a high degree in Europe. This will support the shift to a circular economy, increase security of supply for raw materials and energy, and enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy.
In line with the circularity ambitions of the European Green Deal, the Batteries Regulation is the first piece of European legislation taking a full life‑cycle approach in which sourcing, manufacturing, use and recycling are addressed and enshrined in a single law.
Batteries are a key technology to drive the green transition, support sustainable mobility and contribute to climate neutrality by 2050. Starting from 2025, the Regulation will gradually introduce declaration requirements, performance classes and maximum limits on the carbon footprint of electric vehicles, light means of transport (such as e‑bikes and scooters) and rechargeable industrial batteries.
The Regulation will ensure that batteries placed on the EU single market contain only a restricted amount of harmful substances that are necessary. Substances of concern used in batteries will be regularly reviewed.
Targets for recycling efficiency, material recovery and recycled content will be introduced gradually from 2025 onwards. All collected waste batteries must be recycled, with high recovery levels required for critical raw materials such as cobalt, lithium and nickel. This guarantees that valuable materials are recovered at the end of their useful life and re‑entered into the economy.
Starting in 2027, consumers will be able to remove and replace the portable batteries in their electronic products at any point in the product’s life cycle. This will extend product lifespans, encourage re‑use and reduce post‑consumer waste.
To help consumers make informed decisions, key data will be provided on a label, and a QR code will give access to a digital passport with detailed information on each battery. This will aid consumers and professionals along the value chain in making the circular economy a reality for batteries.
Under the new law’s due‑diligence obligations, companies must identify, prevent and address social and environmental risks linked to the sourcing, processing and trading of raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and natural graphite contained in their batteries. The expected massive increase in demand for batteries in the EU should not contribute to higher environmental and social risks.
Next steps
Work will now focus on the application of the law in the Member States and the drafting of secondary legislation (implementing and delegated acts) that will provide more detailed rules.
Background
Since 2006, batteries and waste batteries have been regulated at EU level under the Batteries Directive. The Commission proposed to revise this Directive in December 2020 due to new socioeconomic conditions, technological developments, markets, and battery uses.
Demand for batteries is increasing rapidly—projected to rise 14‑fold globally by 2030, with the EU potentially accounting for 17 % of that demand, driven mainly by the electrification of transport. This exponential growth will lead to a corresponding increase in demand for raw materials, underscoring the need to minimise environmental impact.
In 2017, the Commission launched the European Battery Alliance to build an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive battery value chain in Europe, ensuring supply of batteries needed for decarbonising the transport and energy sectors.