New Regulations for the Life Cycle of Batteries: EP Adopts Groundbreaking Measures

The European Parliament has adopted new regulations for the life cycle of batteries sold in the EU. The new regulation aims to reduce environmental and social impacts throughout the life cycle of the battery. The regulation will apply to all batteries, including all waste portable batteries, electric vehicle batteries, and industrial batteries. The draft legislative proposal aims to ensure that all batteries placed on the EU market are sustainable, circular, and safe, by introducing specific requirements across different stages of the product life cycle as well as new CE marking requirements for batterie. The new batteries regulation envisages a recyclate quota (recycled content quota) from 2031 for large traction and industrial batteries.

The regulation is intended to ensure more sustainable use of batteries along the entire value chain throughout the EU. To reduce adverse impacts along the entire value chain, the carbon footprint of electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries will be calculated. The regulation also specifies minimum requirements for the durability and performance of industrial batteries and portable batteries. The Parliament wants to introduce measures mandating simpler battery replacement as early as 1 January 2024, while the Council is proposing to delay the date of entry into force of the regulation further to allow more time for manufacturers to adapt.