batteridirektiv

The Battery Directive, officially Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, is a piece of European Union legislation that aims to minimize the negative impact of batteries and accumulators on the environment. It sets out rules for the collection, treatment, recycling, and disposal of batteries, as well as regulating the substances they contain.

A key provision of the directive is the prohibition of batteries containing more than 0.0005% of mercury by weight and more than 0.002% of cadmium by weight, with some exceptions for specific applications like emergency and alarm systems, medical equipment, and cordless power tools. The directive also mandates that all batteries and accumulators placed on the market must be clearly labeled with a symbol indicating that they should not be disposed of in household waste.

Furthermore, the Battery Directive requires producers to take responsibility for the collection and recycling of spent batteries. This is often achieved through producer responsibility schemes, where manufacturers and importers finance or organize the collection and recycling systems. The directive also sets collection and recycling targets for different types of batteries, encouraging a circular economy approach to battery management within the EU. Amendments to the directive have been proposed and implemented to adapt to technological advancements and evolving environmental concerns.