EU-Battery Regulation 2023 and German Batterierecht-Durchführungsgesetz
The current EU Battery Regulation was adopted in 2023 and the first provisions of it have already been in force since August 2024. On 18 August 2025, several other regulations will come into force and the old Battery Directive 2006/66/EC and the national laws based on it, such as the Batteriegesetz (BattG) in Germany, are to expire. The BattGis to be replaced by the Batterierecht-Durchführungsgesetz (BattDG) at this time. The problem with this is that the planned adoption of the BattDG has fallen victim to the premature end of the traffic-light-coalition and it is uncertain whether the new black-red government will get the law through parliament before August. The Elektrogesetz (ElektroG) regulating electric devices is currently in a similar state. It is therefore possible that provisions of the new EU Battery Regulation will compete with the old (but possibly still valid) BattG, while planned provisions for the implementation of the EU Regulation are missing.
As a specialist in the professional and safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries, we would nevertheless like to present some important changes resulting from the EU Battery Regulation for the disposal of batteries and accumulators:
- There are significantly more extensive information and labelling requirements. These are intended to provide consumers with more information, make batteries more comparable and facilitate recycling.
- New categories for batteries are being introduced. In particular, there are separate categories for LV batteries in Light Vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters. These must be encapsulated and may weigh a maximum of 25 kg. Traction batteries for larger electric vehicles such as e-cars also form their own category in the EU-Battery Regulation.
- LV batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters will also be accepted at public recycling centres in Germany. However, many of these have not yet been prepared to accept these fire-hazardous batteries.
- For the first time, there are explicit regulations for disposable e-cigarettes, although not much has changed in terms of content.
- With the Battery Regulation, the EU is gradually increasing the requirements for recycling percentages in production and collection rates.
- It must be possible to replace portable batteries without special tools. Manufacturers will also be obliged to offer replacement batteries at reasonable conditions for up to 5 years after the last sale. This is intended to make work easier for end customers and repair service providers.
- Every battery manufacturer will have the option of setting up their own take-back system or joining a system. This is likely to make processing more complex for collection centres.
- The manufacturers of LV batteries must provide the collection centres with containers that are suitable for the collection, storage and transport of these large lithium-ion batteries in view of their hazardous nature. Bicycle dealers should therefore not be fobbed off with a cardboard box, for example.
Do you have any questions about the storage, transportation or disposal of lithium-ion batteries? We are happy to help companies and municipalities. Please contact us.
