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The EU Battery Regulation in short
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What is the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542? The EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 is the new European legislation for batteries and replaces the former Battery Directive 2006/66/EC. Although terms such as Battery Directive 2023 are still commonly used, the new legislation is formally a regulation. An EU regulation applies directly in all Member States, whereas a directive first has to be transposed into national law. The 2023/1542 Regulation sets requirements for batteries throughout their entire life cycle, from design and placing on the market through to use, collection, reuse and recycling. |
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Why were new battery rules introduced? The EU Battery Regulation supports the transition towards a circular and climate-neutral economy, in line with the goals of the European Green Deal. Batteries are playing an increasingly important role in e-mobility and clean energy. |
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What is the purpose of the Battery Regulation? The EU aims to develop a safe, circular and sustainable battery value chain in Europe. The previous regulatory framework was therefore revised and expanded. |
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Why was the former Battery Directive no longer sufficient? The former Battery Directive 2006/66/EC no longer reflected the scale and complexity of today’s battery market. The rapid growth of electric vehicles, light means of transport and lithium-ion applications called for a broader regulatory framework. |
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Who do the new battery rules apply to? The rules apply to all battery categories placed on the EU market or put into service, whether supplied separately or incorporated into appliances, light means of transport or other vehicles. |
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When did the new EU Battery Regulation start to apply? The EU Battery Regulation has applied since 18 February 2024. Not all obligations apply immediately; many requirements are being introduced in phases. See also the timeline. |
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Do the rules also apply to batteries that are already on the market? Each obligation has its own date of application. In general, the relevant requirements apply to batteries first placed on the EU market or put into service on or after that date. |
How does the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 differ from the former Battery Directive 2006/66/EC?
The former Battery Directive focused mainly on restricting certain hazardous substances and on the collection and recycling of batteries once they became waste. The new EU Battery Regulation goes much further, introducing requirements across the full battery life cycle — from design, performance and product information to serviceability, traceability and end-of-life management.
| Broader scope of the EU Battery Regulation across the battery life cycle | |
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| Before sale | Battery design, product information, labelling, removability and replaceability. |
| During use | Service and repair, access to relevant battery data, and information needed for traceability and the battery passport. |
| After use or return | Collection, assessment, reuse, recycling, treatment and reporting on batteries placed on the market. |
Key concepts in the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542
The EU Battery Regulation places greater emphasis on repairability, replaceability, battery data, traceability, extended producer responsibility and circularity. Below, we explain what these concepts mean in practice.
EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542: key dates
This timeline focuses on batteries for light means of transport (LMT batteries). The exact requirements vary depending on the battery category and the company’s role in the value chain.
Publication and entry into force
The EU Battery Regulation is published and enters into force. This marks the start of the transition from the former Battery Directive 2006/66/EC to the new regulatory framework.
Regulation applies and first LMT requirements
The EU Battery Regulation applies from this date.
Information on battery performance and durability must be provided for LMT batteries. The BMS must also contain up-to-date information on state of health and expected lifetime.
Producer responsibility and take-back
New requirements apply to producer registration, extended producer responsibility, collection, treatment and reporting. Batteries must also carry the separate collection symbol.
Labelling and information
Additional labelling and information requirements apply, including manufacturer and product identification, place and date of manufacture, weight, capacity, battery chemistry and information on hazardous substances and critical raw materials.
Serviceability, battery passport and due diligence
Portable batteries in appliances and LMT batteries must be removable and replaceable.
A QR code provides access to mandatory battery information.
Mandatory for LMT and EV batteries, and industrial batteries above 2 kWh.
Due diligence requirements apply to relevant economic operators.
LMT performance and carbon footprint
LMT batteries must meet minimum requirements for electrochemical performance and durability. A carbon footprint declaration also becomes mandatory for each battery model and manufacturing plant.
Carbon footprint class and recycling efficiency
LMT batteries are assigned a carbon footprint class. Higher recycling-efficiency requirements also apply to lithium batteries.
Further circularity requirements
A 61% collection target applies to LMT batteries. Requirements for material recovery are also tightened, and a maximum life-cycle carbon footprint limit applies.
* For some technical requirements, the date shown is the earliest possible date of application. The actual date may be later if the required additional EU rules enter into force later.
The exact requirements vary depending on the battery category and the company’s role in the value chain. Use this timeline as a general guide.
Which batteries does the EU Battery Regulation apply to?
EU Regulation 2023/1542 distinguishes between several battery categories based on their design and intended use. Compared with the former Battery Directive, new categories have been introduced to reflect how battery use has changed over recent decades. In particular, the growth of electric mobility has led to EV batteries and LMT batteries being recognised as separate categories under the new Regulation.
1. Portable batteries
- Sealed batteries that are relatively small and easy to handle, weighing no more than 5 kg.
- They are not specifically designed for industrial use and do not fall within any of the other battery categories.
- Examples include batteries used in consumer electronics, tools, toys and household appliances, as well as standalone replacement batteries.
- Common consumer batteries such as alkaline batteries and button cells generally fall within the portable battery category. Standard formats such as AA, AAA and button cells may also fall within the subcategory of portable batteries of general use.
2. LMT batteries
- Sealed batteries weighing no more than 25 kg that are specifically designed to power light wheeled vehicles.
- LMT stands for Light Means of Transport, covering batteries used in light electric vehicles.
- These vehicles are powered either by an electric motor or by a combination of an electric motor and human power, such as e-bikes.
- Removability, replaceability, repair and after-sales service are particularly relevant for this battery category.
3. SLI batteries
- SLI stands for Starting, Lighting and Ignition.
- These batteries provide the power needed to start engines and support vehicle lighting and ignition systems.
- Typical examples include conventional starter batteries in cars, motorcycles and certain types of machinery.
4. EV batteries
- Batteries specifically designed to provide traction power for electric or hybrid vehicles that fall within official vehicle categories.
- In practice, this typically includes registered vehicles such as electric cars, motorcycles and other type-approved vehicles.
- EV batteries are generally larger, heavier and more complex than batteries for light means of transport and are subject to different safety requirements.
5. Industrial batteries
- Batteries designed for industrial, professional or stationary use, or batteries that do not fall within the portable, LMT, EV or SLI battery categories because of their intended application.
- Examples include batteries used in machinery, medical equipment, robotics, logistics systems and professional tools.
- Batteries used for stationary energy storage, such as home energy storage systems and commercial battery storage systems, also fall within this category.
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- Under the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542, Heskon focuses primarily on LMT batteries and compact industrial lithium-ion batteries.
- For these battery categories, our technical infrastructure and specialist repair expertise provide the foundation for reliable battery service.
What does the EU Battery Regulation mean for businesses?
The new EU Battery Regulation places greater responsibility on businesses to understand and document what happens to batteries throughout their life cycle. In practice, the biggest changes relate to the following areas.
Battery category and role in the value chain
What types of batteries are being placed on the market, and which category do they fall into?
The requirements depend partly on the battery category and on your company’s role in the value chain. The first step is therefore to determine which category applies to the battery or battery-powered product.
Repairability and replaceability
Can defective batteries be safely assessed, removed, replaced or repaired in practice?
For LMT batteries in particular, batteries need to be accessible enough to support diagnosis, replacement and repair. This has implications for product design, access to spare parts, technical information and the way after-sales service is organised.
Information and battery data
Are battery data, test results and service history kept up to date and stored?
Product information, technical specifications and service history are becoming more important. As the battery passport is introduced, businesses will need to keep better track of the data linked to each battery and make the required information available.
Traceability and documentation
Can each battery be traced throughout its lifecycle?
Companies are increasingly expected to maintain clear records of what happens to batteries throughout their lifecycle, including sale, use, return, repair, reuse and disposal. Without proper documentation, it can be more difficult to manage warranty claims, investigate quality issues, handle recalls and meet reporting requirements.
Producer responsibility and battery returns
Are there clear procedures for registering, assessing, storing and processing returned batteries?
Responsibility does not end when a battery is sold. Under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), producers, importers and brand owners are expected to have appropriate processes in place for defective, used and waste batteries, including their collection, handling and reporting.
Sustainability and circularity
Are defective batteries assessed for repair, reuse or remanufacturing before they are replaced or discarded?
The Regulation places greater emphasis on extending battery life, reuse, recycled content, carbon footprint and reducing waste. As a result, repair and remanufacturing can play a more important role as alternatives to replacing or discarding batteries.
EU Battery Regulation: why prepare now?
Over the coming years, more requirements under the EU Battery Regulation will come into effect. These include requirements relating to labelling, removability and replaceability, QR codes and the battery passport.
Businesses need to be prepared to demonstrate that their batteries meet the requirements of the Regulation. If they do not, authorities can require corrective action and, in more serious cases, impose penalties or require products to be withdrawn or recalled. Having accurate product information, effective traceability and well-organised service and return processes is therefore becoming increasingly important.
Turning the Battery Regulation into Practice
The EU Battery Regulation brings new responsibilities for businesses working with lithium batteries. Meeting these requirements increasingly depends on having the right processes in place for battery returns, assessment, repair, documentation and end-of-life handling.
Legal responsibility generally remains with the company placing the battery or battery-powered product on the EU market. Heskon does not take over this responsibility, but can support the operational side of battery compliance and aftersales.
Depending on your organisation’s role, volumes and service requirements, this can range from support with individual processes to a fully managed battery aftersales solution:
- Product assessment and triage to determine the best next step for returned batteries, such as repair, remanufacturing, reuse or recycling
- Collection and end-of-life handling of batteries, including responsible routing for reuse or recycling.
- Digital documentation and reporting of battery data, diagnostics and service history, supporting traceability, quality management and battery passport requirements.
- Spare parts and technical service information organised by product family to support repair activities.
- Service infrastructure and process design to help businesses set up efficient and scalable battery aftersales operations.
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