The European Union (EU) adopted the "Batteries Directive" 91/157/EEC in March 1991. This introduced restrictions on the use of mercury in most batteries and encouraged collection and recycling. However, the objectives of the Directive have not been achieved as most portable batteries are still being sent to landfill.
For example, in 2002, according to the European Commission (EC) around 45.5% of the total amount of batteries sold in the EU, equating to over 70,000 tonnes, went to landfill or were incinerated.
As a result, the EU has introduced, and adopted, a "New Battery Directive" 2006/66/EC with an implementation date of 26 September 2008, that repeals 91/157/EEC at the same time.
The New Directive applies to all batteries and accumulators. The difference between a battery and an accumulator is not defined by the directive but
However,
batteries used in equipment connected with security applications or
equipment designed to be sent into space do not fall within scope.
The
directive restricts the use of mercury in all batteries and of cadmium
in portable batteries, with certain exemptions such as emergency and
alarm systems including emergency lighting, medical equipment and
cordless power tools, although the latter will be reviewed by September
2010.
Marketing of batteries that contain less polluting substances is encouraged, in particular substitutes for mercury, cadmium and lead.
It
also establishes labelling requirements including chemical symbols Hg,
Pb or Cd, the crossed wheelie bin and battery capacity labelling.
In
addition the directive provides minimum guidelines for the operation of
national battery collection and recycling schemes, in particular with
respect to the financing of such schemes by Producers.
The
directive establishes an overall collection target for all spent
portable batteries of 25% to be achieved by 2012, rising to 45% by 2016.
Industrial
and automotive batteries are less likely to be disposed of in the
municipal waste stream because of their size and their users are
professionals who are likely to appreciate the economic value of
recycling. The collection rate for such batteries is already close to
100%.
The
New Batteries Directive specifies collection requirements that include
the option for the consumer to take back portable batteries to local
collection points free-of-charge without the "takeback" obligation of
buying a new battery.
Distributors
should take back waste portable batteries when supplying portable
batteries, unless it is proven that the existing alternative schemes
are as effective.
Producers
of industrial batteries, or third parties acting on their behalf, are
obliged to take industrial batteries back from end-users and, finally,
Producers of automotive batteries, or third parties, should set up
collection schemes for waste automotive batteries not collected through
collection schemes set up under the end-of-life vehicles (ELV)
Directive.
As
well as the recycling element there are various data and labelling
requirements that will apply to batteries. These include a crossed
wheelie bin on the battery or, if too small, on the packaging and
chemical symbols (Hg, Cd, Pb) indicating the heavy metal content of
batteries containing more than a specified amount of these substances.
Capacity
of portable and automotive batteries will be required from 26 September
2009 and the harmonised rules for how will be defined should be
available by 26 March 2009.
There
is also a requirement to provide information to consumers on the
potential effect of substances used in batteries on health and the
environment, as well as an explanation of the symbols printed on the
batteries.
A
note emphasising that batteries should not be disposed of with other
municipal waste as well as details of collection and recycling schemes
will be required.
Finally,
article 11 of the New Directive affects the design of electrical
equipment which must be made in such a way as to allow batteries either
for replacement or at end-of-life for disposal to be "readily removed".
This requirement is clearly intended to ensure that equipment users are
able to remove batteries by opening a cover by hand or after removal of
one or a few screws. Lengthy dismantling that takes considerable time
would not be permitted.
Clearly, the New Batteries Directive looks to eliminate the short comings of its predecessor, with a clear focus on more efficient recycling as well as a wide range of labelling and data requirements.
The requirement to mark batteries with their capacity could have the effect of encouraging consumers to select higher capacity batteries resulting in a shift in the market. However, battery capacity is an important, but not the only, characteristic of a battery, so consumers may need to better understand their requirements.
Directive Decoder
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