New changes to Batteries EU Directive

This Directive came into force at the close of the year on 30 December 2013 and has given EU Member States a transposition deadline of 1 July 2015.

The main changes made in this new Directive focus on battery chemical composition, including:

- The prohibition on placing on the market portable batteries containing more than 0.002% of cadmium by weight (excluding those intended for cordless power tools) will continue to apply until 31 December 2016

- Button cells containing no more than 2% of mercury by weight will continue to be exempt from the prohibition of more than 0.0005% of mercury in any battery until 1 October 2015.

These extensions will enable the batteries markets across the EU to adapt to alternative battery chemistries in a uniform manner.

It is good to see measures are being implemented at EU level to encourage development of a battery market that doesn’t rely on technologies that use higher quantities of hazardous substances. Other changes that appear in the new Directive include: - Batteries and accumulators do not need to be removable by end-users. The removability requirement will only require manufacturers to design appliances (with incorporated batteries) so that waste batteries and accumulators can be readily removed by qualified professionals that are independent of the manufacturer.

If you think these changes may affect the way you need to comply with the regulations we will be holding a webinar to keep you up to date once these changes are set to be implemented into UK national law. If you want a review of your current batteries compliance you can speak to a member of our batteries specialists on 0845 094 2228. Alternatively, you can contact us at batteries@ecosurety.com.

 

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