Four battery industry bodies have launched an international accreditation scheme for lead battery players. The LeadBattery360° (LB360) certification programme will identify responsible production and material sourcing practices throughout the lead battery supply chain.
A framework for accreditation and auditing has been developed by the International Lead Association, Battery Council International, Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers (EUROBAT) and the Association of Battery Recyclers.
It builds on the earlier programme to combat substandard and informal lead battery recycling in low-to-middle-income countries, launched in 2022. It champions best practices in lead from mining to recycling and everything in between.
The ILA’s senior director of regulatory affairs, Dr Steve Binks, told BEST there are seven guiding principles to the programme and they test and prove how far companies are delivering on their promises. The principles range from supporting responsible lead manufacturing and recycling to sourcing, identifying risks, environmental impact, labour and human rights, and engaging with key stakeholders.
He said there are 40–50 requirements programme members must fulfil before gaining accreditation. It starts with self-assessment and is followed up with independent visits and assessment before accreditation is gained.
While other programmes are available, LB360 is the only one to include downstream users, said Binks. “It’s greening the supply chain,” he said. “And joining the scheme is voluntary.”
The coalition partners have established a non-profit organisation in the US, in which all are represented on a board. They are seeking external stakeholders such as NGOs, investment banks and consumer groups.
Membership currently costs €15,000 per year but will fluctuate depending on numbers signed up. Binks said four companies have signed up so far and 14 have said they are going to. It needs 10 to make it worthwhile.
“I think it’s a necessary process for the industry to get involved in,” said Binks. “…If companies sign up, it gives them important certification with expectations.”
The programme follows in the steps of other metal industries such as copper and aims to fill a gap in the market, according to Binks.
Photo: lead ingot processing at CAM, Italy. BEST