Europe

EU Battery Regulation: Summary of What the Law Does Aug. 2023

Feb. 2024

Aug. 2024

Feb. 18, 2027

Aug. 18, 2027

Regulation enters into force at Union level and begins phased application across categories.

Regulation begins to apply with transitional arrangements.

August 2024 CE marking and EU Declaration of Conformity duties for batteries start.

Labelling obligations begin in 2026 and QR access to required battery information follows in 2027, subject to the implementing act.

Removability and replaceability apply to portable and light means of transport batteries. Battery passport begins for electric vehicle, rechargeable industrial above two kilowatt hours, and light means of transport batteries.

Due diligence obligations on critical battery materials begin after the two year postponement.

Collection and material recovery targets start to bite. Portable collection is sixty three percent by end 2027 and seventy three percent by end 2030. Recovery for cobalt, copper, lead, and nickel is 90% by end 2027 and 95% by end 2031, and lithium is 50% by end 2027 and 80% by end 2031

Minimum recycled content starts in 2031 and rises again in 2036 for cobalt, nickel, lithium, and lead.

Scope and who

Design and repair

Information and traceability

Circularity and end of life

One rulebook for every battery placed on the Union market. Categories include portable, light means of transport, starter lighting ignition, industrial, and electric vehicle batteries.

A portable battery must be readily removable and replaceable by the end user using commonly available tools and without heat or solvents. If a special tool is truly needed it must be supplied at no cost. Where end user access would compromise safety or essential function, replacement by an independent professional is required and must be feasible.

Labels and a QR code provide standardised data and link to online information. A digital battery passport begins in 2027 for electric vehicle, light means of transport, and rechargeable industrial batteries above two kilowatt hours and is accessed through a unique identifier and QR.

Producers finance and meet collection targets for portable and light means of transport batteries, and recyclers meet recovery performance for key materials. Recycled content in new batteries begins in 2031 and increases in 2036 to drive a circular value chain

Early designs already reflect the 2027 direction. Pixel Watch 4 is serviceable with a replaceable battery and display. Pixel Buds 2a include a charging case with a user replaceable cell, with guides and service options visible publicly Source: Wired, DigitalEurope, Consilium-Europa, EU regulation documentation

Extracted from the PDF; charts and images may read imperfectly.