The EC Directive
on Batteries and Accumulators (2006/66/EC) was published on 26 September 2006.
It aims to minimise the impact of batteries on the environment and encourage the
recovery of the materials they contain.
The Battery Directive has been transposed into UK law through
two new statutory instruments:
The Batteries
and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 which became law in
September 2008. These regulations place restrictions on mercury and cadmium and
apply labelling requirements for new batteries to aid consumer choice and recycling
including the crossed out wheeled bin symbol.
The
Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 which became law on 5 May
2009. These regulations introduce treatment standards and "producer responsibility"
including targets for the collection and recovery of waste batteries:
- minimum collection targets of 25% by 2012 and 45% by 2016 for waste portable
batteries
- prohibition on disposal by
landfill or incineration of all industrial and automotive batteries
- requirements for battery retailers
to offer take back of waste portable batteries
The UK currently collects less than 3% of waste portable batteries,
one of the lowest rates in Europe.
To find out more join our Batteries
Producer Compliance Scheme today »
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