According to the portal of the European Parliament, its deputies and the European Council have concluded a preliminary agreement providing for the revision of European rules related to the circulation of electronic batteries, taking into account “technological development and future challenges“. Among other things, it assumes that smartphone manufacturers will be required to provide “easy” access to the battery of their gadgets for quick self-replacement of batteries by users.
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However, the rules apply to the entire life cycle of batteries, from development to disposal, and will apply to all types of batteries sold in the EU, including, for example, not only batteries for smartphones, but also batteries for internal combustion engines, as well as batteries for electric vehicles.
The parties came to agreement, according to which batteries should be more environmentally friendly, productive and reliable. It will be mandatory to declare the carbon emission associated with the life cycle of the battery, and there will also be special labeling requirements for batteries with a capacity of more than 2 kWh.
Three and a half years after the entry into force of the regulations, all portable batteries in consumer electronics must be designed in such a way that “users could easily remove and replace them themselves”.
In December 2020, the European Commission presented proposals related to the regulation of the circulation of batteries and their disposal. The proposals included reducing environmental impact, promoting a “circular economy” and achieving other goals closely related to the so-called. “European Green Deal” and other eco-initiatives in the European Union. The new regulations are in addition to requirements requiring universal USB Type-C chargers for wired charging from 2024. First of all, the last rule will affect the European version of the new iPhones, since most other smartphones already use USB Type-C.
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According to the resource of the European Parliament, it is planned to inform consumers with the help of stickers and QR codes informing about the capacity, reliability, and even the chemical composition of batteries. A number of types of batteries with a capacity of more than 2 kWh, as well as batteries for electric vehicles, will have to have special “passports” that include information about the battery model, as well as information necessary to use a particular type of battery.
According to the agreement, by 2023 it will be necessary to collect 45% of used portable batteries, by 2027 – 63%, by 2030 – 73%. It also provides for the normalization of the use of recovered as a result of processing batteries cobalt, lead, lithium and nickel in new products. By December 31, 2030, the European Commission will be able to assess whether it is worth completely phasing out the use of non-rechargeable general purpose batteries.
For the first time, a law is being passed that covers the entire life cycle of batteries, which is good for both the environment and the economy, according to European authorities. One of the goals will be to build large-scale battery recycling facilities in the EU, as well as a competitive industrial sector in general. Compliance with the new rules can become a kind of “benchmark” for the entire global battery market.
The European Parliament and the European Council must formally approve the agreement before it enters into force.
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