As the world's electricity and transport systems electrify, the development, production and use of batteries is key to the EU's transition to a climate-neutral economy. According to the Global Battery Alliance, global battery demand will grow 14-fold in 2030, with the European Union accounting for 17% of this demand. According to forecasts, the battery market will be worth 250 billion euros per year in 2025 [1].
However, as the market grows, the manufacture, use and end-of-life disposal of batteries brings a series of challenges, and the importance of battery sustainability, environmental protection and energy efficiency has become more prominent. Due to the strategic importance of batteries to the EU, in October 2017, the European Commission established the European Battery Alliance to support the expansion of innovative solutions and manufacturing capabilities in Europe.
In May 2018, as part of the third "Europe on the move" package, a dedicated battery strategic action plan was adopted with a series of measures including raw material extraction, procurement and processing, battery materials, battery production , battery systems, reuse and recycling.
On December 10, 2020, the draft EU Regulation on Batteries and Waste Batteries was proposed against the above background, aiming to phase out Directive 2006/66/EC, amending Regulation (EU) No 2019/1020, updating EU battery legislation, To ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the EU battery value chain. The proposal is closely linked to the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan and the New Industrial Strategy. Regulations impose mandatory requirements on sustainability, including: carbon footprint rules, minimum recycling content, performance and durability standards, safety and labelling for marketing and use of batteries, and end-of-life management requirements, including economic operators in raw material procurement due diligence obligations, etc.
On 10 February 2022, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament voted by a vote of 74 in favour, 8 against and 5 abstentions to adopt the proposed rules of the EU Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulation. Higher requirements and goals are put forward in terms of recycling requirements.
On March 10, 2022, the draft legislation on the EU Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulation was passed in the European Parliament with 584 votes in favour, 67 votes against and 40 abstentions. The relevant requirements are basically the same as the "Proposed Rules" adopted on February 10. On the basis of the 2020 draft, higher requirements have been put forward for battery management scope, data and label management, battery performance requirements, supply chain due diligence, and carbon footprint.
On March 17, 2022, the EU Regulation on Batteries and Waste Batteries was unanimously adopted by the European Council.
The timeline is moving forward at an accelerated pace, which will mean significant progress in the EU legislative process for the EU Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulations.
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