A new regulation on batteries and waste batteries paves the way for a decarbonised future

Renew Europe welcomes today’s political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the EU council on a new harmonised regulation for batteries and waste batteries.

Batteries are playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives. Not only our smartphones, devices and even toothbrushes run on batteries; by setting a target for 100% emission-free cars and vans by 2035, batteries play a vital role in the transition to net - zero emissions. Battery applications are essential for electrification and innovation and - with the current energy crisis in mind - are pivotal to halt our energy dependency from fossil fuels while meeting our climate targets.

However, investing in a transition to a decarbonised future brings new challenges. The use of batteries will take on such proportions that by 2030 the need for batteries will be 14 times greater than today. A modernisation of the current Battery directive with appropriate measures throughout the entire life cycle of batteries was thus needed to make it fit for the coming era of batteries. Renew Europe therefore welcomes that the new regulation for batteries and waste batteries, as agreed today, sets very clear and sustainable targets on the production, the use of materials and the collection and recycling of waste batteries.

MEP Karin Karlsbro (Liberalerna, Sweden) Renew Europe shadow rapporteur says on the agreement reached:

“The European batteries regulation is a whole new type of environmental legislation that follows the product through its entire life cycle - from manufacturing and consumption to recycling into new products. The EU is creating a new sustainability legislative model for an entire industry and that requires responsibility to human rights and the environment. A fully harmonised regulation, applicable in all member states also increases predictability for all stakeholders involved. The new batteries regulation is a win for us and for the climate. Instead of throwing out your old electronics it will be easier to replace the worn out batteries with new recycled ones. I’m glad that the Commission and Council moved towards the Parliament for a more ambitious legislation. A decarbonized future requires sustainable batteries.”