The new Batteries Regulation expands distributors’ responsibilities for the take-back of waste batteries and accumulators. Previously, the distributor’s take-back obligation applied only to portable batteries and accumulators, but as of 18 August 2025, distributors must also take back other waste batteries and accumulators included in their product range. Waste batteries and accumulators must be accepted from the end user free of charge, without any purchase requirement, regardless of their chemical composition, brand, or origin.
Distributors’ take-back obligations in brief
Batteries for light means of transport, automotive batteries, industrial batteries and electric vehicle traction batteries: must be accepted at the point of sale or in its immediate vicinity.
The take-back obligation applies only to the battery categories sold by the distributor. If a distributor sells starter batteries, it must accept all starter batteries regardless of battery chemistry. Similarly, a distributor selling industrial batteries must accept all industrial batteries.
The take-back obligation for portable waste batteries and accumulators applies only to quantities that private users typically discard.
Where should the distributor deliver the waste batteries?
Returned waste lead-acid batteries must be delivered to the Akkukierrätys producer responsibility scheme. When waste batteries need to be collected from your premises, please contact Akkukierrätys’ waste management partners. During collection, our partners can also provide appropriate collection containers for lead-acid batteries.
Distributor’s information obligation
Distributors must also inform end users about the arrangements for returning waste batteries and accumulators at the time of ordering. This obligation does not apply to waste products containing batteries, such as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Distributors must inform customers about the possibility to hand in an end-of-life product to the distributor’s take-back point. The information can be provided at the point of sale, in the store, or through other marketing. The distributor is responsible for the costs of providing this information.
In addition, distributors are required to provide customers with information on preventing the generation of battery and accumulator waste. This obligation is laid down in Article 74(4) of the Batteries Regulation.