Under the new rules, manufacturers will have until 2027 to redesign their products to allow for easy battery replacements by users, a grace period that should ensure sufficient time for.
While the EU scores high in relation to the recycling of portable and lead-acid automotive batteries, much remains to be done as regards lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars, energy storage systems and industrial activities. Only 10% of lithium contained in batteries is recycled.
Why should Europe recycle lithium-ion batteries?
By recycling lithium-ion batteries, Europe can reduce its reliance on virgin raw materials, alleviating environmental burdens associated with mining and extraction. From a geopolitical perspective, battery recycling also paves the way to material sufficiency and supports local economies.
Why should batteries be regulated in the EU?
The aim of the proposed Regulation is that batteries placed on the EU market are sustainable, circular, high-performing and safe all along their entire life cycle, that they are collected, repurposed and recycled, becoming a true source of valuable raw materials.
What are the new EU regulations on replaceable batteries?
The EU's new regulations on replaceable batteries aim to avoid another Chlorofluorocarbon-esque scenario— going all in into innovation without realizing the potential harm it could create in the long run— and mark a significant milestone in promoting sustainability, resource recovery, and consumer empowerment.
EU institutions have agreed on a new battery directive for more sustainable batteries and we have been able to see the approved text, even though it has not been published yet. The full text includes substantial changes in the ways batteries will have to be manufactured, serviced and disposed of.
Are batteries a key technology for climate neutrality?
Batteries are key technologies in the pursuit of innovation and climate neutrality. New JRC studies suggest rules on classification, collection, and recycling to help us reuse the materials they contain. New JRC studies will enable harmonised circularity assessment methods that reflect changes in the batteries market. © Sashkin - stock.adobe.com