Producers have obligations both in terms of the Batteries they sell and in terms of financing the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of Batteries.

What's included?

The regulations cover all batteries, regardless of whether they are in products.

Batteries are divided into three types.

• Automotive

• Industrial

• Portable

Who is responsible for compliance?

The manufacturer or importer that;

- first places batteries on the UK market (including those in products),

and

- if the business has a UK presence (which extends to overseas companies that are or should be registered with Companies House).

The only exception is the collection of portable batteries under the take-back scheme, which is the responsibility of UK distributors and retailers that sell (or supply) more than 32 kg of batteries a year.

There are many businesses that will be defined as an importer and distributors/retailer, therefore it is important to be clear on how to comply with all associated obligations.

How to comply?

The specific obligations in relation to waste batteries depend on their type, but all require registration with the appropriate environmental regulator via the National Waste Packaging Database and the annual provision of information.

The aim is that all waste batteries are processed via approved operators and that producers pay for their collection, treatment and recycling.

Collection & take back

• Automotive batteries Producers must collect waste batteries for free from final holders (e.g. garages)

• Industrial batteries Producers must take back waste industrial batteries for free from end-users if they supply them with new batteries

Portable batteries

Producers (placing >1 tonne a year on the market) must join a Battery Compliance Scheme, which handles the registration process for them.

>1 Tonne supplied onto the market

• Join a Battery Compliance scheme
• Submit periodic data on batteries supplied (quarterly)
• Pay fees based on submitted volumes

< 1 tonne supplied onto the market

• Environment Agency registration
• Submit annual data on batteries supplied

Distributors and retailers

Those that sell or supply more than 32 kg of batteries a year must participate in a take-back scheme.

You must

• have a free collection point at all premises from point of supply (this extends to shop or online, by mail order or telephone sales)

• let people know that you collect used batteries, e.g. display posters in premises or information on the business website

Collection can be arranged through a Battery compliance scheme. They will arrange free collection or businesses can arrange this themselves via their own compliant waste procedures.

Other requirements

Products must be designed so that any contained batteries can be readily removed (with some exemptions).

Batteries placed on the UK market must;

• adhere to the maximum limits placed on heavy metals content and

• display a ‘crossed-out wheeled bin’ diagram with any relevant chemical symbols,

• automotive batteries and portable rechargeable batteries must indicate capacity.

Contact Greenstreets to find how we can help.