New European battery regulation

Update of the article dated February 14, 2025:

Following the publication of European Regulation No. 2023/1542, which we detail later in our article, the French legislator has recently made progress.

In fact, the New decree 2024-1221 of December 27, 2024 Applies this European regulation in French law.

More specifically, the decree focuses on the implementation of”The extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligation applicable to battery producers, various adaptation provisions relating to the waste policy”.

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Let's discover together what it plans, in a few fundamental points:

• An extension of the concept of”Producer” of batteries, which now also includes”Any economic operator who makes available on the market, for the first time on French territory, A battery resulting from preparation for reuse, preparation for reassignment, reassignment or remanufacturing operations” ;
• The submission to eco-contribution batteries from first-life batteries, because they are considered to be new;
• One Classification of batteries in 5 categories, in accordance with European regulations (see below): batteries for light means of transport (MTL), batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), portable batteries and accumulators (PAP) used in electronic devices, starter batteries (SLI) for starting and lighting thermal vehicles (SLI) for starting and lighting thermal vehicles, finally industrial batteries and accumulators (PAI);
• A Strengthening of the Prevention and Management of Battery Waste, in the spirit of European regulation, in particular with the obligation (from 1 January 2026) for battery waste management operators to contract, either with a Approved Eco-Organization, or with a Producer Who Has Set Up an Approved Individual System, for the management of this waste, under penalty of sanctions. In addition, the take-back of batteries at no cost by all battery distributors, regardless of their size, is becoming mandatory.

Our analysis in a few words:

• This decree is key to harmonizing French and European law;
• It is part of the polluter country logic;
• It takes a further step towards the reuse of batteries and the structuring of battery collection channels;
• For manufacturers in the lithium battery manufacturing sector, who will have to contract with eco-organizations (or set up individual systems) in order to manage battery waste, it will be necessary to take into account the new approvals that should be unveiled from 18 August 2025;
• This decree represents a major advance for the battery sector in France, by imposing strict standards and by encouraging more responsible waste management. Manufacturers must therefore be prepared to adapt their processes to comply with these new requirements.

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In its ambition to accelerate decarbonization and the transition of the European Union to more ecological modes of transport, the Council of the European Union has adopted a very remarkable regulation.

Ce Newfangled Regulation No. 2023/1542 is progressively applicable from 18 February 2024.

What's his point? Transforming the landscape of The battery industry in Europe by strengthening their sustainability, safety and traceability.

By integrating the principles of The circular economy, this legislation aims to reduce dependence on critical raw materials and to encourage ecodesign.

But what does it mean for manufacturers and users in practice?

In this article, let's decipher together the 3 key points of this new battery regulation : 

1. a new European regulation to promote a circular economy for electric batteries;
2. the 5 categories of batteries concerned by Regulation 2023/1542;
3. Towards new, more stringent standards in terms of compliance, traceability and battery labelling.

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1 - A new European regulation to promote a circular economy for lithium batteries

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Extensive accountability for players in the electric battery market

As of February 2024, companies that market batteries and whose turnover exceeds 40 million euros must comply with a Duty of Care. 

This measure requires them to ensure respect for human rights and environmental standards in their production process.

Accountability also concerns All Actors in the Battery Life Cycle, from their manufacture to their end of life:

• suppliers of raw materials like cobalt, nickel, nickel, lithium, and graphite must prove Ethical and sustainable practices ;
• Manufacturers are required to respect Progressive Carbon Footprint Reduction Thresholds ;  
• The Batteries Must Be Eco-designed to facilitate their repair, second life and recycling, in order to reduce the consumption of new resources.

Promoting the concept of the second life of batteries

The new European regulation marks a turning point by integrating the concept of the second life of batteries for the first time.

As a result, it recognizes and values companies that, like VoltR, are dedicated to Reuse, remanufacture or repurpose batteries at the end of their first life.

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VoltR dismantles non-repairable batteries to reuse their functional components in new batteries. This process aims to extend their life cycle and reducing the extraction of new critical raw materials.

Want to know more?

Discover our Batteries manufactured in France !

Improving battery collection and recycling

To Bring the Battery Manufacturers and Distributors Sector on Board Towards More Virtuous Circular Economy Models, the regulation imposes obligations for the collection and recycling of batteries:

• 73% of portable batteries and those of light means of transport will have to be Collected by 2030;
• 90% of metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, lead must be Recycled by 2027, and 80% of lithium by 2031;
• Manufacturers and distributors are required to provide clear instructions to end users on Battery Waste Management.

These measures are aimed at Reduce the environmental impact of the end of battery life by encouraging the reuse of materials.

To find out more about the lifespan of lithium batteries, see our dedicated article.

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2 - Tea 5 categories of batteries affected by Regulation 2023/1542‍

What batteries are affected by the provisions of this European regulation No. 2023/1542?

The new European regulation extends its scope of application to all battery families:

• Batteries for Light Means of Transport (MTL) : scooters, electric bikes and other light vehicles;
• electric vehicle (EV) batteries ;
• portable batteries and accumulators (PAP) used in electronic devices, such as smartphones, computers, and home equipment;
• Starter batteries (SLI) for starting and lighting internal combustion vehicles;
• industrial batteries and accumulators (PAI) Intended for specific uses such as energy storage.

All these battery categories are therefore subject to new requirements in terms of sustainability, safety, labelling and traceability in order to guarantee Responsible Management Throughout Their Lifecycle.

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3 - Towards new, more stringent standards in terms of compliance, traceability and labelling of lithium batteries

The necessary compliance of batteries with European requirements 

All batteries placed on the market must now include a CE marking attesting to their compliance with EU requirements in terms of safety, health and environmental protection.

This marking, validated by a certification body, guarantees that the batteries comply Safety, Sustainability and Public Health Criteria. It must be attached directly to the battery, or failing that, to the packaging or associated documentation.

The Battery Passport: Towards Digital Traceability

As of February 18, 2027, industrial batteries (> 2 kWh), as well as those used in electric vehicles and light means of transport, will have to integrate A digital passport in the form of a QR code.

This passport should contain information on:

• carbon footprint;
• the percentage of recycled materials;
• technical characteristics for reuse and recycling.

Batteries subject to technical standards and the concept of eco-responsibility

New Batteries Must Also Meet Strict Technical Standards, including:

• Of minimum performances in terms of capacity and charge cycles;
• One Carbon Footprint Statement mandatory for certain categories from 2025;
• One Easy removal and replacement of batteries by users by February 2027, but also an accessibility of spare parts for at least 5 years at a reasonable price.

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In summary: new European battery regulation, what you need to remember

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In our opinion, the new European regulation No. 2023/1542 marks a major advance for a more sustainable and responsible battery industry:

• for businesses, this new regulation represents an opportunity to rethink their models by integrating virtuous practices throughout the battery life cycle;
• for consumers, these measures guarantee safer products, and with a much more controlled impact on the environment.

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VoltR supports this transition and to The circular economy By Designing New batteries from second-life cells.

Do you want to know how we design and manufacture in France New, Eco-Designed and Affordable Batteries ?

Let's get in touch!

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GLOSSARY:

Remanufacture : any technical operation carried out on a used battery, including the dismantling and evaluation of its components (elements and modules) that are new, used, or resulting from the recovery of waste. The aim is to restore the battery to at least 90% of its original nominal capacity, while ensuring that the health status of the individual components does not differ by more than 3% between them. A remanufactured battery is intended to be reused for the same purpose or application as intended during its initial design.

Preparing for reassignment: Any operation consisting in preparing a waste battery, or some of its parts, in such a way as to be able to use them for purposes or applications different from those originally intended.

Reassignment: Any operation allowing a battery, not considered to be waste, or some of its parts, to be used for purposes or applications different from those for which the battery was originally designed.