Concerns build over hitting battery targets

And, Vince Armitage, divisional vice-president for Varta UK, claimed that battery manufacturers could be made a “scapegoat” for the failure to reach the targets, and face large financial penalties.

“This is because, through the Directive, the European Commission will be able to hold the British Government to account for not meeting their obligations as a nation. In turn, the Government, through the courts, will be able to take action against those responsible for meeting the targets,” he added.

His comments come after BERR revealed last week that the regulations for the UK system to collect, treat and recycling waste portable batteries may not come into effect until 2010, prompting renewed fears in the sector that the UK may miss its 2012 collection target of 25% (see letsrecycle.com story).

Risk

Mr Armitage echoed those concerns, warning that the delays meant the UK “runs a real risk” of not meeting the 2012 target, adding that “the targets laid out in the Directive are attainable, but only if we start collection as soon as possible”.

At the same time, Mr Armitage stressed that, if the targets were missed, “this would be through no fault of the industry – which has constantly called for the Directive to be implemented as soon as possible – at Varta we fear it will be the manufacturers who will feel the full force of any missed targets.”

The government has said that producers will be expected to meet their battery recycling obligations via a multiple compliance scheme system (see letsrecycle.com story).

But, Mr Armitage explained that, in the event of targets being missed, he still expected the ultimate blame – and therefore largest financial penalties – to end up with manufacturers.

“Under the rules laid out in the directive, it will be the manufacturers who ultimately pay any penalties. While the compliance schemes act as a middleman between the legislators and the producers, the schemes cannot be held liable as they are merely vehicles of the manufacturers,” he said.

“Of course, by the time the punishments are dished out and cascade down to reach the industry, any financial penalties will no doubt have increased dramatically,” he added.