In July 2023, a new EU battery regulation (Regulation 2023/1542) was approved by the EU. The aim of the regulation is to create a harmonized legislation for the sustainability and safety of batteries.
The new EU Battery Regulation, Regulation 2023/1542, introduces significant changes and requirements aimed at enhancing the sustainability and safety of batteries and battery-operated products.
Here are some key points regarding the changes and new provisions:
Battery Categories: The regulation introduces new battery categories, including portable, industrial, automotive, electric vehicle (EV), and light means of transport (LMT) batteries. Each category has specific requirements and regulations.
CE Marking: Manufacturers will be required to affix the CE marking to batteries before placing them on the market or putting them into service, starting from August 18, 2024. The CE marking indicates compliance with EU safety, health, and environmental protection requirements. Notified bodies may be involved in granting the CE marking for certain types of batteries.
Battery Passport: From February 18, 2027, LMT, EV, and industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh must be electronically registered with a battery passport carrying an identification QR code and CE marking. This passport will include information specific to the batteries and their sustainability requirements, providing data on battery handling instructions and state of health to recycling operators and repurposing efforts.
Carbon Footprint and Recycled Content: The regulation includes provisions for calculating the carbon footprint of batteries and setting recycled content targets for various elements (cobalt, lead, lithium, nickel). These requirements will start to apply from August 18, 2024, with delegated acts and implementation acts specifying methodologies for calculation.
Removability and Replaceability: The regulation mandates that portable batteries should be easily removable and replaceable by end-users, while LMT, EV, and industrial batteries should be easily removable and replaceable by independent professionals. This requirement will be enforced from February 18, 2027.
Safety Testing (SBESS): Safety testing requirements are introduced, but they apply only to stationary battery energy storage systems (SBESS).
Due Diligence: Producers and producer responsibility organizations (PROs) must adopt and communicate a due diligence policy for batteries. They are also required to establish management systems to support due diligence policies, identify and assess risks in the supply chain, and design strategies to address identified risks. Third-party verification by a notified body is necessary. The due diligence obligation comes into effect from August 18, 2025.
Recycling and Material Recovery Targets: The regulation sets recycling efficiency targets and material recovery targets for specific elements in recycling and treatment facilities for batteries. These targets will apply from December 31, 2027.
Information and Labeling: Requirements for information and labeling include a battery passport, specific labeling (chemistry, lifetime, charging capacity, collection, hazardous substances, safety risks), electronic databases, and second life data sets. These requirements aim to enhance information and traceability.
Shipment of Waste Batteries: The regulation addresses the shipment of waste batteries outside the EU.
Reporting Obligations: Reporting obligations are introduced, and there are specific deadlines for implementing various aspects of the regulation, with certain requirements coming into effect in different phases from 2024 to 2028.
The applicability of these provisions varies depending on the battery type, and the regulation seeks to promote transparency, sustainability, and responsibility throughout the battery supply chain. Manufacturers, importers, and other stakeholders will need to comply with these new requirements and deadlines, with some aspects requiring third-party verification and delegated acts to specify methodologies and calculations. TÜV SÜD can assist manufacturers in evaluating, testing, and certifying batteries to ensure compliance with safety, performance, and sustainability standards.
TÜV SÜD’s portfolio of battery safety and abuse tests cover tests for a host of different uses: from electric vehicles and off-road, aerospace, military, rail, and waterborne transport to the extensive field of stationary energy storage systems for energy from renewable sources. We have years of international experience and can support our customers through our global laboratory with modern test equipment and highly competent experts. Our holistic approach, quality of work and commitment to safety will optimize the reliability of your battery and other energy storage products.
Through our expanding network of laboratories throughout North America, Germany, China, Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore, we are ready to serve the needs of our customers, provide international market access as well as in-country experience and know-how. Our global testing network is equipped with state-of-the-art safety testing equipment enabling testing to extreme limits in safe conditions – safe for your intellectual property, safe for the environment and, above all, safe for you and our colleagues performing the tests. We provide the full range of battery safety testing services and validation planning, and our interdisciplinary expertise will support you in streamlining your product development.
For more detailed information, and how TÜV SÜD can help, please complete the form to download our White Paper.
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