The webinar by Akkukierrätys and Recser Oy introduced the new durability, safety, labelling and information requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation.
The EU Batteries Regulation entered into force in August 2023, and it began to be applied in February of the current year. The regulation strengthens the functioning of the EU’s internal market, promotes the circular economy and reduces the environmental and social impacts of the battery industry.
The battery regulation has brought new requirements for the entire life cycle of batteries. The first part of the webinar series by Akkukierrätys Pb and Recser Oy delved into the first chapters of the regulation. What kind of new durability, safety, labelling and information requirements does the regulation bring to batteries?
During the transition period, there will be regulatory overlap
The battery regulation requires actions from manufacturers, importers and distributors of batteries. In the future, batteries may only be placed on the market or put into use if they meet the requirements of the battery regulation.
Senior Specialist of the Ministry of the Environment Johanna Routio reminded, however, that the implementation of the battery regulation involves many transition periods.
“Legally, we are in a challenging transition phase. In the transition phase, both the battery regulation, national legislation and the old battery directive will be applied partly at the same time,” Routio stated.
After the transition periods, the battery directive is repealed and only the new battery regulation will remain in effect. There will be supplementary regulation in the national legislation, but all legislation that conflicts with the battery regulation will be repealed.
Tukes supervises, but also supports the implementation of the battery regulation
Since the battery regulation has only started to be applied in February, answers to many practical questions are still being sought. More guidance on the details of the application of the regulation is forthcoming from the Commission.
Tukes’ leading expert in chemical products Tiia Salamäki and a leading specialist in electrical products, Seppo Niemi, brought the authorities’ perspective to the webinar.
In their speech, they emphasised, among other things, that an important part of Tukes’ marketing supervision is advice. The role of counselling is especially emphasised now that the battery regulation is new.
Regarding the tightening labelling requirements, Salamäki and Niemi highlighted the CE marking of batteries, which will come into effect in August of this year. With the CE marking, the manufacturer assures that the product meets the requirements of the relevant EU directives and regulations. Other future labelling requirements include e.g. a QR code and a “non-rechargeable” text for batteries.
However, Seppo Niemi reminded participants that the battery regulation is not retroactive legislation. Products already on sale do not need to be removed from stock, even if they do not meet the labelling requirements of the new regulation.
Kesko plays many roles in the battery value chain
Kesko has been preparing for the entry into force of the battery regulation for a long time. Cooperation has been done with e.g. producer associations and manufacturers. As a battery operator, Kesko acts in different roles as an importer and distributor, and through its own brands as a manufacturer.
Sustainability Manager for Kesko’s Building and technical trade Tiina Kotipelto is satisfied that the battery regulation promotes the longevity, adaptability and recyclability of products at the EU level.
In the implementation of the battery regulation, Kotipelto emphasises the importance of high-quality data and data management, so that the product information meets the requirements of the regulation.
She pointed out that high-quality data requires accuracy in all stages of the battery value chain.
“Even the data that ends up in producer organisations is only as good as what is produced by the weakest link in the value chain,” Kotipelto said.
The webinar series continues in May
Our next webinar on battery regulation will be held on 21 May. At that time, our topic is the obligations of importers.
In the webinar, EU compliance, CE markings, the obligations of battery manufacturers and importers, and extended producer responsibility obligations for companies will be examined, among other things. You are welcome to join us! The presentations of the seminar and a link to the recording will be distributed to all who participated in the seminar.
See the Ministry of the Environment’s and Tukes’ presentations (in Finnish):
- Johanna Routio (YM): EU:n akkuasetus ja eri toimijoiden roolit merkintä- ja tietovaatimuksissa (pdf)
- Seppo Niemi ja Tiia Salamäki (Tukes): EU:n akkuasetus: Uudet kestävyys-, turvallisuus-, merkintä- ja tietovaatimukset (pdf)
See the questions and answers presented in the webinar (pdf).
This article is a part of the joint communications of the battery producer organisations Akkukierrätys Pb Oy and Recser Oy concerning the EU Batteries Regulation.
Stay up to date with the progress and content of the Battery Regulation
As the producer organisations, it is important for us to remain up-to-date and share information on how the content of the EU’s Battery Regulation will affect the responsibility of producers of batteries and accumulators in particular.