On December 10, 2020, the European Commission
published a legislative proposal that, if accepted, will replace the current Battery
Directive (2006/66/EC) with a legal framework for better sustainability,
traceability and circularity of battery production throughout a product’s life
cycle.
This proposal forms an integral part of the
‘Green Deal’ – the European Union’s new growth strategy and covers all categories of battery, with the
regulation naming four types:
- Portable
- Automotive
- Electric vehicle
- Industrial
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The text lays down the following restrictions
and exemptions:
Mercury
- Batteries, whether or
not incorporated into appliances, shall not contain more than 0.0005 % of
mercury (expressed as mercury metal) by weight.
- Batteries used in vehicles to which Directive
2000/53/EC applies shall not contain more than 0.1% of mercury (expressed as
mercury metal) by weight in homogeneous material.
Cadmium
- Portable batteries, whether or
not incorporated into appliances, shall not contain more than 0.002% of cadmium
(expressed as cadmium metal) by weight.
- This restriction shall not apply
to portable batteries intended for use in:
- Emergency
and alarm systems, including emergency lighting
- Medical
equipment
- Emergency
- Batteries used in vehicles to
which Directive 2000/53/EC applies shall not contain more than 0.01% of cadmium
(expressed as cadmium metal) by weight in homogeneous material. (Not applicable
to vehicles exempted on the basis of Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC)
The proposal also sets out requirements for
sustainability and safety, including:
- Carbon footprint of electrical
vehicle batteries and rechargeable industrial batteries
- Content of recovered materials –
cobalt, lead, lithium and nickel
- Electrochemical performance and
durability
- Detachability and replaceability
- Safety
- Labelling and information requirements
- Treatment and recycling
requirements
Additionally, the proposal lays down two different
conformity assessment procedures depending on the product requirement to be
assessed:
- Internal production control
(module A), or
- Internal production control plus
supervised verification (module A1) which involves a Notified Body.
The EU’s Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) came
into force in September 2008. The new regulation, when/if it comes into force,
will apply from January 1, 2022, with specific implementation dates for
requirements. It is expected the current directive will become invalid on July
1, 2023, with the exception of certain provisions.
SGS Battery Testing Services
SGS helps companies deliver well-designed, functional, durable and safe
products to their customers. They have the electrical and electronic industry
regulatory and technical expertise to provide testing services for abuse,
benchmarking, durability, electrical, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC),
environmental, life cycle analysis, performance, safety standards and
transportation on cells, batteries and modules.
Learn more about SGS’s Battery Testing
Services.
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For
further information contact:
Adeline MAIJALA
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Tel:
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Email:
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