Caroline Jackson, chair of the European Parliament's Environment Committee, has been in correspondence with the UK government and European Commission trying to resolve issues surrounding the proposed Batteries Directive.
One central issue that has arisen is whether collection points for portable batteries on sites including shops and schools will have to have a waste management permit. The DTI and Defra are discussing licensing for these points despite indications from the Commission that this will not be required.
The Commission's director for environment, D. Grant Lawrence told Dr Jackson: “Small collection points for spent batteries in shops could be considered in light of the fact that they cause no harm to the environment.”
He continued: “It is therefore our interpretation … that permits for such collection points would not be required under EC waste legislation.”
However Marianne Klingbeil, head of waste at the Commission, indicated that individual European Member States could be allowed to require licences. She said: “Although Community waste legislation does not require it, Member States could require waste management licences for battery collection points.”
Exemptions
Dr Jackson has now informed trade minister Stephen Timms of this information, who responded: “I note with interest that the Commission do not believe permits are required for battery collection from shops and schools under Community legislation.”
Despite this, the DTI and Defra are still considering permitting systems for the collection points but Mr Timms said exemptions may be possible.
“My officials are in contact with Defra about licensing requirements as part of the Review of the 1996 Special Waste regulations in England. A consultation document on the Review will be issued shortly. I am hopeful that exemptions for batteries collected at retail outlets and schools can be agreed,” said Mr Timms.
Dr Jackson has expressed disappointment that the UK government is creating another layer of bureaucracy that could deter organisations from setting up portable battery collection points.
“I don't know why they are still agonising because correspondence I have had with the Commission make it quite clear that the Commission is not expecting such licences to be necessary,” she told letsrecycle.com.
For more information on the proposed Batteries Directive, visit the letsrecycle.com legislation page.
Subscribe for free