The European Union (EU) published the EU New Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on July 28, 2023, in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulation came into effect just a few weeks later on August 17, 2023. It covers all batteries available on the EU market and aims to improve sustainability, safety labelling, and waste management. It includes both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries and is relevant for manufacturers of cells, modules, battery packs, energy storage systems, EV battery systems, and end products utilizing batteries.

Battery Passport

To ensure compliance with the EU New Battery Regulation, EV and industrial batteries over 2 kWh will be required to have a unique digital battery passport accessible via a QR code integrated into their label. The battery passport will include relevant data from the entire battery lifecycle including battery chemistry, capacity, performance, safety, cycle life, carbon footprint, and calendar data.

Label Markings

The EU New Battery Regulation also imposes new requirements for CE markings. All portable batteries sold within the EU market will need to carry the CE marking by August 2024. Compliance is self-declared and obligations depend on the type of battery.

Responsible Sourcing

The EU New Battery Regulation reinforces existing regulations and guidelines like the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive and Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals by including language that discourages battery manufacturers from using certain materials. Additionally, the regulation mandates responsible sourcing of base materials, prohibiting the use of conflict minerals obtained through practices like slave labour, environmentally damaging mining, or practices that violate health and safety standards.

Timeline

The EU New Battery Regulation encompasses a significant number of mandates that will gradually roll out over the next few years with the goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

February 18, 2024: Mandatory enforcement of the Battery Regulations

August 18, 2024: Mandatory enforcement of safety requirements for stationary battery energy storage systems, performance and durability requirements for rechargeable industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh, LMT batteries and electric vehicle batteries, conformity assessment procedures, and economic operator obligations

February 18, 2025: Mandatory enforcement of carbon footprint requirements for electric vehicle batteries

August 18, 2025: Mandatory enforcement of supply chain due diligence / Mandatory enforcement of waste battery management

February 18, 2026: Mandatory enforcement of carbon footprint requirements for rechargeable industrial batteries

February 18, 2027: Mandatory enforcement of battery passports for rechargeable industrial batteries larger than 2Kwh and electric vehicle batteries / Removability and replaceability of portable batteries and LMT batteries

August 18, 2028: Mandatory enforcement of requirements for recycled materials in rechargeable industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh, except those with exclusively external storage, electric vehicle batteries, and SLI batteries, conformity assessment procedures, and economic operator obligations.

International Regulations

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is an international standards organization that develops and publishes standards for electrical, electronic and related equipment. IEC standards are widely recognized and used throughout the world to ensure the safety, reliability and compatibility of electrical and electronic products.

IEC 62133

This standard sets out requirements and tests for portable and sealed batteries, with the exception of button cells. Its aim is to ensure that batteries function properly under normal, foreseeable conditions of use.

IEC 62619

Oriented towards industrial applications, this standard focuses on the risk of internal short-circuiting and includes thermal propagation tests to prevent fires.

To find out more about the latest regulations affecting battery manufacturing in Europe, meet with solution providers and hear talks from industry leaders, attend the 3rd European Battery Gigafactory Summit: Advances in Planning, Engineering and Operations taking place in Berlin, Germany on May 14-15, 2025.

For more information, visit our website or email us at info@innovatrix.eu for the event agenda.