Directive Decoder

The directive will ban batteries containing more than 0.0005% of mercury and 0.002% of cadmium except in emergency and alarm systems, medical equipment and cordless power tools.

A quarter of all used batteries must be collected by 2012, rising to 45% in 2016, and at least half of them must be recycled.

It also says that all batteries must be clearly labelled to show how long they will last, from 2009 onwards.

Once the directive becomes law, Member States will have two years to pass appropriate national regulations.

The directive calls for collection points to be established where consumers can hand in used batteries, including those from toys, computers, or mobile phones, and obliges shops to collect batteries from consumers at no extra cost.

It also says that all batteries must be removable, and that all producers of batteries must be registered.

The recycling targets are 75% by average weight for nickel-cadmium batteries, 65% for lead-acid batteries and 50% for others.

Other countries outside the EU have also introduced measures that affect batteries. Batteries are outside the scope of the EU-RoHS Directive because they are covered by the Batteries Directive, but they are included within the scope of “China RoHS” legislation which requires that they are marked with pollution control symbols.

The US Batteries Act of 1996 restricts the use of mercury in batteries so that it is now permitted only in alkaline and silver oxide button cells. This Act also requires nickel - cadmium batteries to be specifically marked. 13 US and several Canadian States have compulsory collection and recycling programs for batteries.

Directive Decoder