Batteries

Overview

Batteries are an indispensable energy source. They are also a key technology in the transition to climate neutrality and to a more circular economy.

Global demand for batteries is increasing rapidly and is set to increase 14 times by 2030. The EU could account for 17% of that demand.

On 17 August 2023, the new Batteries Regulation entered into force, which aims to minimise the environmental impact of this exponential growth in light of new socioeconomic conditions, technological developments, markets, and battery usages.

A key achievement under the European Green Deal, the new law brings forward the circular economy and zero pollution ambitions of the EU and strengthens the EU’s strategic autonomy.

A pile of neatly stacked batteries is shown — © Leonid Eremeychuk, Getty Images

Legislation: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries

Status: In force since 17 August 2023

Application date: 18 February 2024 (with phased requirements rolling out through 2031)

Objectives and aims

EU rules on batteries aim to make batteries sustainable throughout their entire life cycle – from the sourcing of materials to their collection, recycling and repurposing.

In the current energy context, the new rules promote the development of a competitive, sustainable battery industry, which will support Europe’s clean energy transition and independence from fuel imports.

What's included in the law?

On July 4 2025, the Commission published new rules for waste batteries that will calculate and verify the rates of recycling efficiency and recovery of materials. The aim is to boost the recycling and recovery of materials, especially critical and strategic raw materials. You can find more information on the rules here.

Batteries Directive (to be repealed in 2025 by the new Batteries Regulation)
New Batteries Regulation (entered into force 17 August 2023)

Derogations

Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 establishes derogations from the removability and replaceability requirements for portable batteries incorporated in products.

The Commission Notice C/2025/214 on 8 January 2025 announced the regular publication of calls for application pursuant to the Commission’s empowerment in Article 11(4) to grant further derogations.

Applicants interested in the granting of further derogations were invited to do so before 30 April 2025. The process is now closed.

Publications

Technical support to the adoption of delegated acts and Commission reports related to the new Batteries Regulation between 2024 and 2027 – Task 1 Report
Implementation Report for the Directive 2006/66/EC on Batteries and Accumulators
Study in support of the preparation of the Implementation report on Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators
Final report - Feasibility study on labelling and efficiency of primary batteries
Final report - Comparative Life-Cycle Assessment of nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries used in Cordless Power Tools (CPTs) vs. their alternatives nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries
Final report - elements for an impact assessment on proposed options for capacity labelling of portable primary batteries in the context of the Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC
Final report - exemption for the use of cadmium in portable batteries and accumulators intended for the use in cordless power tools in the context of the Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC
Final report - study on the calculation of recycling efficiencies and implementation of export article (Art. 15) of the Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC
Final report, executive summary and summary table - establishing harmonised methods to determine the capacity of all portable and automotive batteries and rules for the use of the label indicating the capacity of these batteries

Related laws

Implementation

The Commission will adopt delegated and implementing acts under the new Batteries Regulation from 2024 onwards.

Under Article 54(1) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Member States must designate one or more competent authorities responsible for the obligations in Chapter VIII, in particular for monitoring and verifying that producers and producer responsibility organisations comply with their obligations under that Chapter.

To support implementation, the Commission publishes an overview list of the names and addresses of competent authorities notified by Member States under Article 54(4) of the Batteries regulation.

Statistics

Eurostat provides access to detailed information on batteries and accumulators produced and waste generated.

Contact

For questions about EU environmental policy, please contact Europe Direct.