Recently, the European Commission established new battery regulations for individual sales of batteries, as well as in appliances, equipment and means of transport. Some of these new rules have been in effect since Aug. 17, 2023. The EPR (extended producer responsibility) and future take-back rules are expected to be rolled out from mid-2025. This offers significant new obligations for battery manufacturers, importers and sellers. We summarize the main points within these regulations for you.
🔋 Five new battery categories
The regulation introduces five new battery categories:
- SLI battery or car battery (lead starter battery)
- Electric vehicle (EV) battery
- Portable battery ≤ 5 kg
- Industrial battery
- Light vehicle battery (2/3 wheels and ≤ 25 kg)
Each category has specific requirements and demands in accordance with the new European battery regulation.
🌿 Environmental liabilities
One of the key new obligations is to provide a carbon footprint statement for the entire life cycle of the battery. Batteries will be classified into performance classes with a maximum carbon footprint. In addition, portable batteries must meet minimum requirements for electrochemical performance and durability.
🏭 Product standards & sustainability
Strict safety requirements have been established for batteries used in energy storage systems (ESS). These batteries must come with documentation that includes electrochemical performance and robustness parameters. In addition, consumers must be able to remove and replace batteries from equipment.
💡 What does this mean for you?
These new regulations have significant implications for manufacturers, importers and sellers of batteries. You must ensure compliance with the new obligations, including providing information on battery performance and durability, placing a CE mark, and having a battery passport that includes technical information, percentage of recycled materials and carbon footprint.
🌍 At Intercel, we are here for you!
At Intercel, we have more than 35 years of experience in the battery industry and understand the complex regulatory environment. We are here to support you in meeting the new requirements and ensuring your batteries meet the highest standards.
If you have questions about how these regulations affect your operations, don’t hesitate to contact one of our specialists. Together, we can ensure a seamless transition to the future of batteries!
