The European battery industry is rolling up its sleeves after the EU Battery Regulation was adopted on Monday by the Council of the European Union, and the drafting of secondary legislation awaits.
European battery manufacturers’ association Eurobat said batteries entering the European market will, under this legislation, be required to undergo sustainable production processes and responsible recycling practices at end of life.
“However, the journey is far from complete as the proposal encompasses numerous aspects of secondary legislation that must be developed effectively,” it said.
It wants the European Commission to actively involve battery manufacturers.
Kinga Timaru-Kast, Director for Public Affairs & Communications at Recharge, which represents rechargeable and lithium battery makers, said: “We will focus on areas such as safety, sustainability and traceability.
“In addition to the publication of the regulation, we are also looking forward to the Commission’s guidelines to support the implementation of Article 11 on the removability and replaceability of batteries, a work we are closely following.”
At last month’s Pb2023 conference by the International Lead Association, Karsten Kurz, director of environmental affairs in Europe for Exide Technologies in Germany, advised his audience to get ready and engage with the drafting of secondary legislation.
The Battery Regulation is the first holistic piece of legislation under the EU Green Deal, he said. It covers the entire life cycle: sourcing, design, use and end-of-life. As secondary legislation is developed and adds detail, the industry has to be active.
“Be an active partner in the work on defining roles and responsibilities,” he said. This means joining working groups, checking battery portfolios and the extra label design requirements.”
Photo: Karsten Kurz of Exide Technologies urged industry to get ready and engage with the drafting of secondary legislation.
