Summary of EU Battery Directive by RSJ Technical Consulting

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What about Batteries in the EU?

Directive 2006/66/EC - Batteries
Corrigendum - Batteries
Directive 2008/12/EC

The new EU battery directive "on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators" took effect on September 26, 2008, repealing previous Directive 91/157/EEC.

It is designed to cover all types of batteries regardless of their shape, volume, weight, material composition or use. The only exceptions are for batteries used in military and space equipment.

	Batteries may not contain more than 0.0005% mercury by weight, with the exception that button cell batteries may not contain more than 2% mercury by weight.
	Portable batteries may not contain more than 0.002% cadmium by weight. A battery is portable if it is sealed, can be hand-carried, and is not an industrial or automotive battery. However, portable batteries used in emergency and alarm systems, medical equipment and cordless power tools are exempted.

Appliance manufacturers must design appliances so that their batteries can be readily removed by the consumer. User instructions on removing the batteries must be provided. An appliance is any electrical or electronic equipment that is powered by batteries, either fully or partially. The definition for electrical or electronic equipment is contained in Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE). Certain exceptions are made where the continuity of power supply is necessary for safety, performance, medical or data integrity.

Batteries must be labeled with the following information:

	Symbol for separate collection (the roll-out container crossed through) must appear on all batteries and battery packs.
	Capacity of battery must appear on all portable and automotive batteries (effective date is September 26, 2009).
	Presence of heavy metals must be indicated on all batteries and button cells containing more than 0.0005% mercury by weight (Hg), 0.002% cadmium (Cd), and/or 0.004% lead (Pb).

Member states may use differential tax rates ("economic instruments") to promote the collection of waste batteries and the use of batteries containing less polluting substances.

By September 26, 2009 certain targets for the separate collection and recovery of batteries must be met.

	Accessible collection points: End-users must be able to turn in their waste batteries without charge or obligation to buy a replacement battery. Distributors and sellers are responsible for take-back programs for portable batteries, which may be operated in conjunction with 2002/96/EC (WEEE). Producers are responsible for take-back programs for industrial batteries, regardless of the battery's origin or chemical composition. Producers are responsible for collection schemes for automotive batteries, which may be operated in conjunction with 2000/53/EC (ELV).
	Treatment and recycling of batteries: Batteries must be separated from waste electrical and electronic equipment. Producers must treat and recycle waste batteries for recovery of usable materials (incineration for energy recovery is excluded).
	Producer pays principle: The producer pays the net cost of collecting, treating and recycling all waste portable, industrial or automotive batteries regardless of the date the battery was places on the market. Producer pays the cost of public information campaigns. Producer may not be double-charged due to 2000/53/EC (ELV) or 2002/96/EC (WEEE)

In March 2008, amendments to the battery directive changed the procedures (per Decision 1999/468/EC) for amending "non-essential elements of this Directive by supplementing it." Examples of non-essential elements are methodologies for calculating annual sales and required recycling targets.

This summary of the EU Battery Directive is designed to provide you with an accurate, easy-to-understand overview of the topic. However:
ê	We have not attempted to cover the implementation issues that need to be addressed at your company or in your supply chain. For this type of assistance, please email or call us at 972-679-8996 to inquire about our services.
ê	This summary does not constitute legal advice. The actual standard in the original language should be reviewed and used for all business, legal, and product compliance purposes.

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