EU set for consultation on proposals for battery directive

A draft directive on batteries is set to be agreed by the European Commission within the next eight weeks. The draft proposals have been prepared by the European Commission and they recommend a free take-back service for consumers and the creation of battery collections systems. The draft proposes that there should be a separate collection of all types of used batteries so that contents can be recycled with minimum disposal of waste. According to the draft directive, it will cover all types of batteries and accumulators as well as the corresponding appliances into which they are incorporated as regards marking and battery removal requirements: “both new and spent, whether they are used for consumer, automotive or industrial purposes, regardless of shape, volume weight or material composition.” Sales of batteries containing more than 0.0005% of mercury will be banned and similarly from 2008 all batteries with more than 0.0002% of cadmium will be banned. On the collection front, the draft proposes that member states set up systems for separate collection or alternatively to set up systems to return the batteries and accumulators from the final consumer free of charge. Targets are set which must be achieved by December 31 2003. – A minimum of 75% by weight of all spent consumer batteries and accumulators must be collected separately with a view to their recovery or disposal. – a minimum of 95% by weight of all spent industrial and automotive batteries and accumulators must be collected separately with a view to their recovery or disposal. The batteries will be banned from being put in household wheeled collections bins and the responsibility for setting up collection systems will have to be agreed between economic operators such as battery manufacturers, waste management companies, retailers and wholesalers. EU member states will also have to publicise the collection systems to make sure that consumers know what to do with old batteries. The member states will be given 18 months to put the directive into force once it is adopted which could happen by the end of 2001.