The BERR published yesterday a second consultation document relating to implementation of the EU Batteries Directive, this time covering just its Internal Market provisions. The consultation includes draft Regulations to transpose the Internal Market provisions of the Directive into UK law that set out the requirements for placing new batteries and accumulators (rechargeable batteries), and appliances containing batteries, on the EU market, including the UK. These will be effective from 26 September 2008.

 

The draft Regulations cover restrictions on the use of specific hazardous substances in the manufacture of new batteries and accumulators as well as labelling and marking requirements. Spent batteries will also need to be readily removable from appliances, unless safety or certain other considerations apply.

 

More specifically:

 

- The composition of new batteries and accumulators - the levels of mercury and cadmium used in their manufacturing are restricted; for example, portable batteries containing more than trace amounts of cadmium may not be placed on the market from 26 September this year, unless they are used in certain exempt appliances, such as cordless power tools.

 

- Labelling requirements - including the 'crossed out wheeled-bin' and the appropriate 'chemical symbol' to encourage end-users to separate spent batteries for collection and aid subsequent recycling.

 

- The removal of spent batteries from appliances - manufacturers will be required to design appliances in such a way that waste batteries and accumulators can be readily removed.

 

The EU's Directive on Batteries and Accumulators and Waste Batteries and Accumulators (2006/66/EC) aims to reduce the environmental impact of portable, automotive and industrial batteries by increasing recycling and greening the supply chain that producers and distributes them. It applies to all types of batteries regardless of shape, volume, weight, material composition or use, except for military applications and space applications.

 

EU Member States are required to transpose the Directive into national law by 26 September 2008.

 

The consultation has been developed in partnership with Defra and the Devolved Administrations and follows an initial consultation (URN 07/1701) on options for implementing the Batteries Directive that ran between December 2007 and March 2008.

 

Further details are available at

From: autoindustry.uk/news