EU Battery Regulation Proposed as Replacement to Battery Directive
Overview of the EC’s proposed changes to replace the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) with a EU legal framework for better sustainability, traceability and circularity during a battery’s life cycle.
- (1888PressRelease) April 22, 2021 - On December 10, 2020, the European Commission published a legislative proposal that, if accepted, will replace the current Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) with a legal framework for better sustainability, traceability and circularity of battery production throughout a product’s life cycle.
This proposal forms an integral part of the ‘Green Deal’ – the European Union’s new growth strategy and covers all categories of battery, with the regulation naming four types:
1. Portable
2. Automotive
3. Electric vehicle
4. Industrial
The text lays down the following restrictions and exemptions:
Mercury
• Batteries, whether or not incorporated into appliances, shall not contain more than 0.0005 % of mercury (expressed as mercury metal) by weight.
• Batteries used in vehicles to which Directive 2000/53/EC applies shall not contain more than 0.1% of mercury (expressed as mercury metal) by weight in homogeneous material.
Cadmium
• Portable batteries, whether or not incorporated into appliances, shall not contain more than 0.002% of cadmium (expressed as cadmium metal) by weight.
• This restriction shall not apply to portable batteries intended for use in:
o Emergency and alarm systems, including emergency lighting
o Medical equipment.
• Batteries used in vehicles to which Directive 2000/53/EC applies shall not contain more than 0.01% of cadmium (expressed as cadmium metal) by weight in homogeneous material. (Not applicable to vehicles exempted on the basis of Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC)
The proposal also sets out requirements for sustainability and safety, including:
• Carbon footprint of electrical vehicle batteries and rechargeable industrial batteries
• Content of recovered materials – cobalt, lead, lithium and nickel
• Electrochemical performance and durability
• Detachability and replaceability
• Safety
• Labelling and information requirements
• Treatment and recycling requirements
Additionally, the proposal lays down two different conformity assessment procedures depending on the product requirement to be assessed:
- internal production control (module A) or
- internal production control plus supervised verification (module A1) which involves a Notified Body.
The EU’s Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) came into force in September 2008. The new regulation, when/if it comes into force, will apply from January 1, 2022, with specific implementation dates for requirements. It is expected the current directive will become invalid on July 1, 2023, with the exception of certain provisions.
SGS Battery Testing Services
SGS helps companies deliver well-designed, functional, durable and safe products to their customers. They have the electrical and electronic industry regulatory and technical expertise to provide testing services for abuse, benchmarking, durability, electrical, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), environmental, life cycle analysis, performance, safety standards and transportation on cells, batteries and modules. Learn more about SGS’s Battery Testing Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/electrical-and-electronics/battery-testing-services]
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full EU Battery Regulation Proposal Released to Replace the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2021/03/safeguards-04121-eu-battery-regulation-proposal-released-to-replace-the-battery-directive-2006-66-ec]
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For further information contact:
Adeline MAIJALA
Quality and Development Lead
Tel: +358 9696 32 29
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/ee
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
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