The environmental impact of battery production is considerable: the production of a single 1,000-pound electric vehicle (EV) battery requires processing about 500,000 pounds of raw materials.1 By establishing a comprehensive Battery Regulation, the European Union (EU) is paving the way for responsible battery production, reduced carbon emissions, and a circular economy. The EU Battery Regulation Amendment has been a game-changer for the battery industry. This set of rules aims to make batteries more environmentally friendly by tackling two main issues: reducing hazardous materials in batteries and increasing recycling rates.
Since its implementation, the regulation has significantly impacted how the battery industry operates. Companies have had to adapt their processes and rethink their approaches to battery production and disposal.2 One of the most relevant results of this regulation has been the growing importance of battery traceability.
Battery product passports, in particular, have emerged as a crucial tool. These passports serve as a digital identity for batteries, allowing manufacturers, consumers, and recyclers to track a battery's journey from production to end-of-life. The focus on traceability isn't just about compliance – it's about creating a more transparent and circular supply chain. As you move towards a greener future, these measures ensure that batteries, while powering devices and vehicles, don't come at the cost of the environment.
For businesses in the battery sector, staying ahead of these regulations and embracing traceability measures like battery passports isn't just good practice – it's essential for long-term success in the European market. This article will help you understand the timeline of the regulation, the context it falls in, the purpose it serves, as well as who the implementation responsibility falls on, which are key elements you need to understand to successfully navigate the Battery Regulation Amendment.
What is the timeline for the EU Battery Regulation?
From 1st February 2027, all EV and industrial batteries on the EU market will require a unique battery passport to be identified with a QR code. However, there are several important dates to keep in mind:
- 1 February 2025 – Carbon footprint for manufacturing site and battery batch must be third-party verified, and this information must be made publicly accessible online.
- 1 February 2027 – All light means of transport (LMT) batteries on the EU market require a unique battery passport made retrievable via QR code.
- 1 February 2028 – Impact assessment of battery lifecycle must be completed (technical documentation must detail percentages of recovered cobalt, lead, lithium, and nickel).3
These targets are part of a bigger picture which aims to reach certain goals by:
- 2027: 63% collection target for portable batteries;
- 2028: 51% collection target for light means of transport (LMT) batteries;
- 2030: 73% collection target for portable batteries; 61% collection target for LMT batteries; EU Commission to assess phasing out non-rechargeable portable batteries.4
The EU chose a phased roll-out approach, rather than implementing and enforcing it all at once. due to four main reasons:
- It gives businesses time to adjust their processes and systems.
- It allows for the creation and refinement of necessary tools. (e.g., QR code systems)
- It enables the development of third-party verification infrastructure.
- It provides time to gather and organise the required information.
What is the EU Battery Regulation?
The Battery Regulation is part of a broader branch of regulations that aims to help the EU's sustainability transition efforts, falling under broader plans such as the EU Green Deal. The Battery Regulation was adopted following the EU Strategic Action Plan for Batteries and is replacing the requirements under the 2006 Batteries Directive.
Figure 2: The Battery Regulation concerning the EU Green Deal.
However, the revised Battery Regulation takes a different approach than its predecessor. While the 2006 Batteries Directive is focused more on waste management and recycling, the current Battery Regulation is more focused on sustainability-related issues, covering the entire lifecycle of batteries, from raw material extraction to recycling.
What is a battery passport and what is its purpose?
The Battery Regulation modernises the EU's legislative framework for batteries, aiming to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. Battery passports are a specific type of digital product passport (DPP) designed for batteries and are a key part of the regulation. They share many characteristics with general DPPs, but are tailored to the unique requirements of the battery industry and related regulations.
A battery passport is a document that stores relevant battery data throughout the entire battery lifecycle, containing detailed information about a battery’s production, testing, and history and helps the battery recycling process. This will ensure that batteries comply with the Battery Regulation Amendment, as well as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
In other words, a battery passport is a digital record of every battery, documenting its entire lifecycle — from its origins to production, performance testing, and eventual recycling.
What is the scope of the battery passport?
Regardless of the origin, the batteries with a capacity over 2kWh will require a battery passport to be listed in the European market5:
- Electric vehicles (EVs) over 25 kg
- Light means of transport (LMT) under 25 kg
- Intended for industrial uses (>5 kg)
- Portable batteries (≤5 kg)
- Starting, Lighting, and Ignition (SLI) automotive batteries
The Battery Regulation places a considerable obligation on manufacturers and suppliers across several industries. This means changes to their supply chains, manufacturing processes, and potentially even investments in new technologies to meet these requirements. On the other hand, suppliers will need to provide the necessary data for the battery passport and work closely with manufacturers to ensure compliance.
Download our guide to view the table of the Battery Regulation obligations for manufacturers, importers, distributors and second-life operators.