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What about Batteries
in the EU?
Directive 2006/66/EC - Batteries
Corrigendum - Batteries
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.
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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. |
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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:
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Symbol for separate collection
(the roll-out container crossed through) must appear on all
batteries and battery packs. |
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Capacity of battery must appear
on all portable and automotive batteries (effective date is
September 26, 2009). |
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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.
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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). |
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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). |
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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) |
Directive 2008/12/EC
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 is intended to give you an easy-to-understand overview and 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.
If you would
like more information about EU battery requirements, we stand ready
to help you. Just
email
us or give us a call at 972-679-8996.
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2008 -- All Rights Reserved
RSJ
Technical Consulting
PO Box 867705, Plano, Texas 75086
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