Carbon Footprint & Sustainability
Verification of your battery's carbon footprint under the EU Battery Regulation.
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Your Partner for Battery Compliance
Simplify your EU battery compliance with DEKRA’s digital certification and globally accredited labs.
Your Partner for Battery Compliance
Simplify your EU battery compliance with DEKRA’s digital certification and globally accredited labs.
What is the EU Battery Regulation?
The new EU Battery Regulation, officially called the “Regulation (EU) 2023/154” includes a new set of rules with which the European Union aims to make batteries more safe, sustainable and circular throughout the battery’s lifecycle. The regulation supports Europe’s clean energy transition and also independence from fuel imports.
Due to the exponent growth in battery use for electric vehicles and devices in recent years, the older set of directives were no longer sufficient. Not only European member states are affected but the regulation has a global impact.
- Sustainability and CO2 footprint: restrictions on hazardous substances like mercury, cadmium and lead, calculation and declaration of a battery’s carbon footprint, and requirements for minimum content from recycled materials.
- Safety and performance: with new criteria, including fire safety and thermal stability measures. Includes requirements for batteries to be easily removed and replaced by consumers and design rules for reusability and recyclability.
- Labelling and digital passport: a digital battery passport for LMT, industrial, and EV batteries, containing information on composition, origin, and performance. Includes labelling with information such as chemical composition, performance, and a QR code for traceability.
- Supply chain due diligence: companies need to identify and address social and environmental risks in their supply chains, particularly for specific raw material.
When Does the New EU Regulation Take Effect?
The new EU Battery Regulation is now in force. The approval processes of the notified bodies are currently still ongoing. From 2025, things will get serious for the battery manufacturers concerned when the implementation phase for the new regulations begins. By February 2027, a unique battery passport will be introduced and by august 2027 due diligence policies verification by a third party will be mandatory. By 2028, the regulation will implement a carbon footprint threshold and require reporting on critical mineral sourcing. Lithium-based batteries must achieve minimum recycling efficiency of 70 percent by 2030. And by 2031, the regulation will set minimum recycled content share targets of 85 percent for lead, 16 percent for cobalt, and 6 percent for both lithium and nickel.
What Does This Mean for You and Your Company?
The EU Battery Regulation has a big impact on many industries worldwide and many companies are affected. Get in touch with us to figure out which changes you can expect for your company.
