The Batteries Regulation entered into force on 17 August 2023, replacing the previous Batteries Directive (2006/66/EC). The requirements of the regulation will be phased in over time from 18 February 2024.

Battery manufacturers will need to comply with stricter sustainability and safety requirements.

For instance, electric vehicle batteries, industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh, as well as batteries for light means of transport must have a battery passport from 18 February 2027. The battery passport will contain information such as:

• general information (e.g. battery category, place of manufacture);
• material composition of battery;
• carbon footprint information;
• information resulting from battery use; and
• information on prevention and management of waste.

Access to the battery passport will be through a QR code affixed to the battery.

In addition, non-rechargeable portable batteries must be labelled to show information on their minimum average duration and to state that they are “non-rechargeable” from 18 August 2023. By the end of 2030, the Commission must assess the feasibility of measures to phase out the use of non-rechargeable portable batteries of general use.

From 18 August 2025, all batteries must be marked with the symbol for separate collection of batteries.

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