The new EU Batteries Regulation also introduces significant changes to the obligations of distance sellers. The aim of the Regulation is to ensure that all sellers of batteries and accumulators, including online stores and other distance selling operators, take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products.
Distance selling refers to situations where a company or other operator sells products falling under producer responsibility directly to consumers or businesses in another country. Sales directly from one EU country to users in another EU country are also considered distance sales.
The difference between distance selling and importation is that in distance selling, the product is sold directly to the end user, whereas in importation, the importing company sells the product further to another user.
Distance sellers must fulfil their producer responsibility obligations according to the laws of the country to which they sell their products. For example, a Finnish company selling products directly to consumers abroad must comply with the producer responsibility requirements of that country.
More information on responsibilities and fulfilling producer responsibility is available on the website of the Licensing and Supervisory Authority, which acts as the producer responsibility authority.