The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 set out the technical requirements with which producers of batteries, and battery-powered appliances, must comply from 26 September 2008.
The Government is also to bring forward draft Regulations and a further consultation document in the autumn covering implementation of the remaining provisions of the Directive relating to the collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries and accumulators- but this is not expected until next year.
The Regulations published today, which implement certain provisions of the EU Batteries and Accumulators Directive (2006/66/EC), aim to:
* Facilitate the free movement of compliant batteries across the EU;
* Protect the environment by reducing the levels of heavy metals they are allowed to contain; and
* Introduce a labelling regime in preparation for coming “producer responsibility” legislation designed to achieve high collection and recycling rates
The requirements include:
* Materials prohibitions – restrictions on the use of mercury and cadmium in the manufacture of batteries, unless they are to be used in specific exempt appliances, or in industrial applications, in the case of cadmium.
* Labelling – the application of the 'crossed out wheeled-bin' and the chemical symbols for lead, mercury or cadmium, where appropriate.
* Removability of waste batteries from certain appliances, which manufacturers will be required to design in such a way that waste batteries can be readily removed.
Unveiling the regulations, Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, said: “Our Battery Regulations add to the measures that this Government has put in place to reduce the impact of waste products on the environment.
“They represent a big first step towards implementing the Batteries Directive as a whole and provide positive contribution to the workings of the Internal Market and provide a foundation for reducing the environmental impact of the many millions of portable, industrial and automotive batteries used in the UK each year,” he added.
The Regulations will apply to all batteries and accumulators – no matter their type or where they are manufactured, whether in the UK, the EU or imported from outside of the Community, and whether sold loose or incorporated into appliances.
The Regulations also set out the enforcement regime in the UK, which will ensure a level playing field for anyone placing batteries on the market. An enforcement authority is to be appointed by the Department for Business.
Batteries and accumulators that do not meet the new requirements should not be placed on the EU market on or after 26 September of this year.
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