Legislation

What is it?

The European Batteries directive has now come into affect in the UK. This policy will enforce stricter rules on the manufacturing and recycling of batteries and accumulators for UK businesses.

The new legal obligations have been split into two parts:

•    stricter rules on battery recycling and collection – these rules are not yet in force
•    new requirements on battery labelling and design– these rules are now in force

The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 came into effect on 26 September 2008. They restrict the use of cadmium and mercury in new batteries and require that batteries can be removed easily from products they are used in. New batteries must also now carry specific labels to make recycling easier.

Who is affected?

Any business that uses, produces, supplies or disposes of batteries will be affected by the European Batteries directive.

The proposals will affect the following types of business:

•    Manufacturers
•    Importers
•    Distributors
•    End-users (virtually every business in the UK)
•    Businesses involved in treating and recycling waste batteries and accumulators
•    Vehicle sales and maintenance businesses.

What must you do?

•    If your business produces batteries, or products containing batteries, you will have to be registered. It is not yet decided who will maintain the register.
•    You will only be allowed to dispose of your waste batteries at recycling points.
•    You will no longer be able to send your untreated waste industrial and vehicle batteries to landfill, or incinerate them. Who will have to operate collection facilities for waste batteries has not yet been confirmed.

For details on what the battery regulations are in full, please visit the Environmental Agencies website pages on battery recycling legislation.