The Department has launched a consultation on draft rules which set out the requirements for placing new batteries and accumulators on the European market. However, details of producer responsibility and how local authorities will be affected will be published later this summer.
The new regulations include restrictions on the use of specific hazardous substances, labelling and marketing obligations. More specifically:
* The composition of new batteries and accumulators – the levels of mercury and cadmium used in their manufacturing are restricted; for example, portable batteries containing more than trace amounts of cadmium may not be placed on the market from 26 September this year, unless they are used in certain exempt appliances, such as cordless power tools.
* Labelling requirements – including the 'crossed out wheeled-bin'
and the appropriate 'chemical symbol' to encourage end-users to separate spent batteries for collection and aid subsequent recycling.
* The removal of spent batteries from appliances – manufacturers will be required to design appliances in such a way that waste batteries and accumulators can be readily removed.
The regulations apply to all batteries – no matter their type or where they are manufactured, and new batteries that do not meet the requirements cannot be placed after the rules come into force on or after September 26 2008.
Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, said: “These regulations will see that there is a limit to the use of hazardous substances in the manufacture of batteries, reducing their potential to harm human health and the environment as well as aiding recycling and the recovery of valuable resources.
“All businesses and persons involved in placing new batteries on the EU market need to be aware of these forthcoming changes. A broad range of interested parties responded to our previous consultation on the approach to implementing the Directive, and we are keen to hear from them again on this draft legislation,” he added.
Directive
Under the EU Battery Directive, battery manufacturers and importers are obligated to fund collections and recycling for spent batteries. The legislation includes collection and reprocessing targets for portable batteries, while all industrial and automotive batteries are to be collected for recycling.
Member states are required to transpose the Directive into national law by September 26 2008, with BERR taking the lead on internal market provisions and policy relating to industrial and automotive batteries, and Defra handling household batteries.
In December, both government departments launched an extensive consultation paper on how the regulations should be implemented in terms of their waste provisions (see letsrecycle.com story).
Responses have since been published from bodies such as the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee and the Local Government Associaiton.
Providing an update, BERR said: “The Government is currently analysing responses from the initial consultation relevant to the waste provisions of the Directive, which ended on 13 March 2008 and will publish a Government response shortly.
“The Government will then bring forward draft regulations and a further consultation document in the summer to implement the remaining provisions of the Directive (consultation document and draft regulations for implementing the collection, treatment and recycling provisions in the Directive).”
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