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.
Objectives
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.
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- Batteries Directive (to be repealed in 2025 by the new Batteries Regulation)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.
Related laws
- Commission Delegated Regulation - EU - 2025/606 - establishing the methodology for calculation and verification of rates for recycling efficiency and recovery of materials from waste batteries, and the format for the documentation
- Commission amending Decision 2000/532/EC as regards an update of the list of waste in relation to battery-related waste
- Commission Notice - Commission guidelines to facilitate the harmonised application of provisions on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries and LMT batteries in Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
- Decision on a common methodology for the calculation of annual sales of portable batteries and accumulators to end-users
- Decision on a questionnaire for Member States reports on the implementation of the Batteries Directive
- Regulation - rules on capacity labelling of portable secondary (rechargeable) and automotive batteries and accumulators
- Regulation - rules on calculating recycling efficiencies of the recycling processes of waste batteries and accumulators, and guidelines on applying this Regulation
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.
Timeline
- 24 July 2025New rules for calculating and verifying rates of recycling efficiency enter into force
- 9 December 2020Commission adopts proposal for new rules on batteries
- 6 September 2006Batteries Directive enters into force
Statistics
Eurostat provides access to detailed information on batteries and accumulators produced and waste generated.
Related links
Main law: New Batteries Regulation repealing in 2025 the Batteries Directive
Related topics:Chemicals Circular economy Waste and recycling
Related strategies: Chemicals strategy for sustainability, Circular Economy Action Plan, European industrial strategy, Zero Pollution Action Plan
Connected Commission priorities: European Green Deal
Publications and Studies
- 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
Contact
For questions about EU environmental policy, please contact Europe Direct.