New EU Battery Regulation - Do you develop battery powered products for sale in the EU? Are you preparing for the new requirements?

(EU) 2023/1542
Is your organisation ready for the new EU battery regulation? If you are developing or manufacturing batteries, or products containing batteries, of any type, and are planning to sell that product in the EU, you need to prepare for a range of new mandatory safety and environmental requirements with enforcement dates that start in August 2024, with additional or increasing requirements being added incrementally over the next 12 years.

What are the regulations key objectives?

• Global demand for batteries is increasing rapidly and the new Batteries Regulation’s objective is to minimise the environmental impact of this exponential growth by bringing forward the circular economy and zero pollution ambitions of the EU
• The aim is to make batteries sustainable throughout their entire life cycle – from the sourcing of materials to their collection, recycling and repurposing

Are all batteries included?

• The only exceptions are batteries for military, space, and nuclear purposes
• Rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries; cells, battery modules, and battery systems (including stationary systems) are all included
• The regulation divides batteries into the following categories:
  • portable batteries - a battery that is sealed, weighs 5 kg or less, is not designed specifically for industrial use and doesn’t fit into one of the below categories
  • starting, lighting and ignition batteries (SLI batteries) – that can also be used for auxiliary or backup purposes in vehicles, other means of transport or machinery
  • light means of transport batteries (LMT batteries) - a battery that is sealed, weighs 25 kg or less and is specifically designed to provide electric power for the traction of wheeled vehicles but is not an EV battery
  • electric vehicle batteries (EV batteries)
  • industrial batteries – for industrial purposes or any other battery that weighs more than 5 kg and that is neither an electric vehicle battery, an LMT battery, nor an SLI battery

Who is responsible for complying with this regulation?

• The regulation specifies obligations of the product developer/manufacturer, importer and distributor of batteries and products containing batteries
  

What sort of battery requirements are included?

• Requirements include safety performance and durability requirements as well as requirements for the detachability and replaceability of portable batteries and Light Means Transport (LMT) batteries, substance restriction and labelling. Carbon footprinting and battery passports come later for some battery types.

What is the timeline for new requirements? (refer to the regulation for full details, this list is not exhaustive)

Need help understanding how this regulation applies to you as a product development business? Get in touch.

www.rbdevelopment.co.nz/connect