On August 17,2024,the EU’s "New Battery Law" (2023/1542) officially came into effect.This regulation,based on the full life cycle of batteries,sets forth systematic management requirements for aspects such as the extraction of raw materials for battery products,manufacturing and processing,reuse,and recycling.The regulation will have a profound impact on multiple aspects,including market access for future battery products exported to Europe,operator responsibilities,information disclosure,and waste recycling.This article will provide a detailed interpretation of the main content of the new regulation and corresponding response strategies.

I.Battery product classification and market access requirements

The EUs New Battery Regulation classifies battery products into five categories:

• Portablebatteries
• Starter/Lighting/Ignition(SLI)batteries
• LightMeansofTransport(LMT)batteries
• Industrialbatteries
• Electricvehiclebatteries

The new regulation requires different categories of battery products to meet varying market access conditions and specifies transition periods for each product type.All products must comply with relevant EU standards and obtain CE certification before entering the EU market.

II.Operator responsibilities

The EUs New Battery Regulation clarifies the obligations of operators at various stages,including manufacturers,agents,and distributors,with particular emphasis on manufacturers responsibilities.Key obligations include:

Mandatory information disclosure obligations

Output:

Manufacturers must disclose the following information:

• Basicperformanceparametersoftheproduct
• Basicinformationaboutthemanufacturer
• Healthstatusparametersduringproductuse,keysubstancecontent,energydensity,expectedcyclelife,etc.

Additionally,the new regulations introduce the concept of digital passports,requiring each electric vehicle battery,industrial battery with capacity exceeding 2kWh,and light transport battery to provide a digital passport disclosing detailed information such as basic performance indicators,chemical composition,cycle life,and carbon footprint.

Mandatory product recycling obligations

Output:

Manufacturers shall bear primary responsibility for the recycling,transportation,and treatment of waste batteries.Specific recycling requirements are as follows:

• Portablebatteries:
  • ByDecember31,2023,therecyclingrateshallreach45%
  • ByDecember31,2027,therecyclingrateshallreach63%
  • ByDecember31,2030,therecyclingrateshallreach73%
• Light Means of Transport (LMT) batteries:
  • ByDecember31,2028,therecyclingrateshallreach51%
  • ByDecember31,2031,therecyclingrateshallreach61%
• SLI batteries,electric vehicle batteries,industrial batteries:
  • Manufacturersmustestablishindependentwastebatteryrecyclingsystemsandbearthecostsassociatedwithdisassembly,transportation,andrecycling.

III.Battery recycling rates and carbon footprint requirements

Recycling rate for electrochemical system waste batteries

Output:

• BeforeDecember31,2025:
  • Lead-acidbatteries:Recyclingratenotlessthan75%
  • Lithiumbatteries:Recyclingratenotlessthan65%
  • Nickel-cadmiumbatteries:Recyclingratenotlessthan80%
  • Otherbatteries:Recyclingratenotlessthan50%
• By December 31,2030:
  • Lead-acidbatteries:Recyclingratenotlessthan80%
  • Lithiumbatteries:Recyclingratenotlessthan70%

Material recycling rate

Output:

• ByDecember31,2027:
  • Cobalt,copper,lead,nickel:Recyclingratenotlessthan90%
  • Lithium:Recyclingratenotlessthan50%
• By December 31,2031:
  • Cobalt,copper,lead,nickel:Recyclingratenotlessthan95%
  • Lithium:Recyclingratenotlessthan80%

Carbon footprint requirements

Output:

Manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries,rechargeable industrial batteries,and light transport batteries must disclose carbon emission data covering the entire lifecycle from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation and recycling.Only products meeting carbon footprint limits will be permitted in the EU market.

IV.Coping Strategies

Prepare a compliance plan in advance

Output:

Battery export enterprises should familiarize themselves with the new regulations requirements as soon as possible,particularly regarding product information disclosure and recycling system construction,to ensure compliance within the stipulated transition period.

Improve product design and supply chain management

Output:

Enterprises must conduct comprehensive product evaluations and optimize battery design to improve recycling rates and cycle life.Simultaneously,they should strengthen supply chain management to ensure raw materials meet environmental and carbon footprint requirements.

Establish a recycling system

Output:

To comply with the new regulations recycling requirements,enterprises must establish comprehensive waste battery recycling systems and collaborate with relevant recycling agencies to ensure all battery types are recycled and processed in accordance with EU standards.

Collaborate with professional certification bodies

Output:

Enterprises may cooperate with certification bodies to ensure products obtain CE certification and meet EU market access conditions,guaranteeing smooth export operations.

V.Summary

The implementation of the EUs New Battery Regulation presents challenges for Chinas battery export enterprises while accelerating the industrys transition toward environmental protection,low-carbon practices,and efficiency.Enterprises must take measures across compliance requirements,product recycling,and supply chain management to actively address regulatory changes and maintain competitiveness in the global market.As a battery export enterprise,are you prepared to meet this challenge?Developing compliance plans early,optimizing product design,and establishing robust recycling systems will help you successfully enter the EU market and gain advantages in the green economy.

We hope this article helps industry professionals understand the EUs New Battery Regulation and provides reference for companies formulating response strategies.