Batteries

STANDARDS >> REACH PACKAGING ELV BATTERIES NCAP

Battery Directive (2006/66/EC):

Distributor / Retailer Obligations under the Directive:

“Distributor” meaning any person that provides Batteries and Accumulators on a professional basis to an end-user, certain obligations exist;

  • Retailers take back obligation involves no cost to the end user and with no obligation to purchase.
  • Receptacles for waste batteries will have to be located at a suitable location in the store (it will be the responsibility of self complying producers and compliance schemes to supply receptacles)
  • Obligations apply to portable, industrial and automotive batteries.
  • Take back systems for household batteries may operate in conjunction with take back systems for household WEEE.
  • Retailers will be prohibited from placing on the market, batteries supplied by an unregistered producer.
  • Retailers who import batteries form outside the state have producer responsibilities.

Producer Obligations under the Directive:

“Producer” means any person in a member state that, irrespective of the selling technique used, including by means of distance communication, places batteries or accumulators, including those incorporated into appliances or vehicles, on the market for the first time within the territory of that member state on a professional basis.

These obligations include;

  • Electrical and electronic equipment design must enable removal of incorporated batteries and accumulators.
  • Producers must provide for treatment and recycling using best available techniques (BAT).
  • Batteries and accumulators collected with waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) must be removed.
  • Specified recycling efficiencies to be achieved.
  • Sine 26th September 2008 producer’s were obliged to finance the collection, treatment and recycling of all waste batteries and accumulators and net costs associated with public information campaigns applies irrespective of when placed on the market.
  • Producers must be registered.
  • Producers must also ensure that batteries placed on the market comply with the directive including requirements that
    • ALL appropriate wheelie bin and chemical symbols are displayed visibly, legibly and indelibly
    • Batteries do not contain excess quantities of mercury and cadmium.
    • Batteries that do not comply with the Directive must be withdrawn from the market.