Battery Manufacturer Responsibility (EPR)

Take-back obligations for manufacturers, distributors and online retailers.

DIRECTIVE 2006/66/EC - the legal framework for (waste) batteries and (waste) accumulators in Europe

The Battery Act in Germany, BattG for short, transposes the European Framework Directive 2006/66/EC into national law, as do the other national transpositions in other EU states, and defines the handling of batteries, the placing on the market, the return and environmentally sound disposal of batteries and accumulators.

The Battery Directive states that all EU member states with national regulations must establish uniform rules for the handling of batteries and accumulators, e.g. to oblige manufacturers to assume product responsibility for the entire life cycle of the product.

In the European Directive (EU Directive) on the marketing, return and environmentally sound disposal of batteries and accumulators, the European Union defines the associated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

On the basis of this legal basis, the polluter pays principle and product responsibility, among other things, the manufacturer and distributor are given responsibility and a wide range of obligations, such as the return and environmentally sound disposal of batteries.

Battery EPR - What am I obligated to do?

Your device contains batteries or a rechargeable battery?

The European Battery Directive regulates the marketing, return and environmentally sound disposal of batteries and accumulators and is incorporated into German law as the Battery Act (BattG). The law obligates various legally defined actors to be product responsible and to comply with and implement a variety of tasks and duties, such as:

Distributors, (online) retailers as well as fulfillment service providers in the field of batteries and accumulator emulators are not exempt from the new obligations and are required to check.

In the event of non-compliance, there is the threat of administrative offence proceedings and severe fines, e.g. in Germany of up to €100,000 for all actors who do not comply with the legal obligations in an orderly manner.

Don’t miss out on your legal obligations in the respective EU countries and get in touch now to be informed about the obligations in the respective sales markets and to implement them safely.

ECOLOGICON GmbH

Gold ladder 9
97234 Reichenberg – Germany

info@ecologicon.com
phone +49 931 4523070

Battery types -

What are the differences between battery and accumulator?

The Battery Act (BattG) distinguishes between portable, industrial and automotive batteries (see FAQ Batteries). The law defines primary cells as storage cells for electrical energy that can only be recharged to a limited extent or not at all. Accumulators, short form accumulator – rechargeable secondary cells as storage cells of electrical energy – are also considered “batteries” in the sense of the law.

There are myriad details and interpretations to consider in order to properly capture an obligation. Contact us now to not only stay up to date on all changes regarding batteries (BattG), but to ensure that your obligations are met in accordance with the law.

Our services -

Batteries and rechargeable batteries licensing and waste batteries collection and recycling (disposal).

We offer you:

Benefit from our Europe-wide and global networks and expertise.

Our services -

Transport, storage and return of used batteries (hazardous goods such as lithium-ion batteries) and recycling

Various batteries or battery cells can pose major hazards for transport and storage if handled improperly. Li-Ion accumulators in particular can pose an increased fire hazard and are therefore considered hazardous goods under certain conditions. Due to the size and condition of the batteries and accumulators, different (safety) requirements apply, such as the requirements of the “European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road”, in short ADR.
However, national regulations (e.g. ElektroG in Germany) also apply and must be observed. We are happy to support you in all measures with information material, training and, if necessary, the required hazardous goods officer, so that you can comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Our network solutions for Europe -

from a single source, take-back systems and recycling partners

National implementations of the Battery Directive (Waste Batteries and Accumulators) lead to many differences in legislation and its implementation that need to be considered.
Do you export to other European countries? Whether for batteries or accumulators, electrical appliances or packaging – we support you with our network solution in your sales countries (sales markets) so that you have the Battery Directive under control.

If you are affected by these obligations, we can guide you through the implementation process by showing you step-by-step the requirements and helping you introduce necessary measures to comply with the laws and regulations.

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FAQ battery and accumulator

Your questions - our answers

The handling of batteries and accumulators is regulated by Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators. The main objective of the Batteries Directive is to minimize the environmental impact of batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators and to contribute to the protection of the environment.

This Directive repeals Directive 91/157/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 March 1991 on batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances, which was in force until that date.

Manufacturers, importers and distributors of batteries and accumulators who place batteries on the market for the first time on a commercial basis. In this case, you are considered the so-called first distributor.
According to 91/157/EEC, a manufacturer is any natural or legal person who places batteries or accumulators, including batteries or accumulators incorporated into appliances or vehicles, on the market in an EU member state. This can be the manufacturer of the batteries and accumulators, but also the reseller, regardless of whether he is established in the respective EU member state or distributes the products from a third country.

The Battery Directive (EU Directive 2006/66/EC) defines in Article 3 all terms as well as different types of batteries:

In all countries of the EU you are already obliged to label your batteries and accumulators. In addition, we can advise you on producer responsibility in all EU member states where you have to fulfill further obligations and support and advise you on registration, notification, information obligations and all administrative steps.

All countries in the EU have take-back systems (battery and accumulator) for the collection and disposal (recycling) of used batteries to fulfill your obligations. For some types of batteries (e.g. industrial batteries) there are more extensive requirements, on which we will be happy to support and advise you.

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Documents and Important Legal Bases