EU warning as Defra steps up pace on batteries

Defra is understood now to be targeting publication of its collection proposals in January or February 2009. Rules governing what batteries can be placed in the marketplace and other technical measures came into force in the UK on September 26 2008. But the Department has been slow to resolve the second part of the legislation over how producer responsibility and battery collection will be implemented.

Whitehall sources have told letsrecycle.com that Defra is finding the issue of development of the right system “complex” because of the variety of stakeholders involved, including householders.
Defra is understood to be hoping to publish the missing Regulations by February 2009 after further consultation with stakeholders.

Speaking last week on the implementation of the revised Batteries Directive, which should have been transposed into national law on September 26 2008, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “The revision of the Batteries Directive represents another important step towards our goal of making Europe into a recycling society. By setting collection targets and requiring recycling, this legislation will also help to protect the health of European citizens and contribute to making consumption and production in the EU more sustainable. Those Member States that have not yet transposed it should do so without delay.”

The Commission said that the new directive revises an existing directive on batteries from 1991 which “has not succeeded in controlling adequately the risks they pose or creating a homogeneous framework for their collection and recycling”.

A statement from the Commission said: “For example, almost one in two 'portable' batteries (small, sealed batteries, as opposed to industrial or automotive batteries) sold in the EU-15 in 2002 was sent for final disposal in landfill dumps or incinerators instead of being recycled after use. This was the case even for batteries that had been collected separately at the end of their useful life.”

The revised directive aims to avoid the final disposal of batteries in the environment by enhancing collection and recycling. It also contains restrictions on the use of some heavy metals. One innovative feature of the directive is a new approach to recycling and this was highlighted by the Commission.

This means that recycling processes for different types of batteries must meet specified efficiency levels. The Commission explained: “The introduction of the recycling efficiency levels is a novelty in EU waste legislation. These efficiency targets will encourage innovation and the introduction of more effective processes and technologies. They form part of the Lead Market Initiative launched by the Commission at the start of this year.”

The Commission has also clarified that batteries lawfully placed on the Community market before September 16 2009 do not have to be withdrawn from sale or relabelled in line with the new requirements.