EU - The New Battery Regulation Published

​​The European Commission published the new battery and battery waste Regulation on 28 July. The new Regulation remains most of the chemical and labelling requirements set forth in the Directive 2006/66/EC. However, it also adds a restriction limit for lead and a labelling limit for Cadmium. The main chemical and labelling requirements are as follows:

1. Restriction Limits 

Lead (newly added)
Portable batteries: ≤ 0.01%, effective 18 August 2024
Portable zinc-air button cells: ≤ 0.01%, effective 18 August 2028

Cadmium
Portable batteries: ≤ 0.002%

Mercury
Batteries: ≤ 0.0005%

​2. Labelling Limits - shall label the chemical symbols beneath the separate collection symbol if exceeds the below limits
Lead (Pb)
All batteries: ≤​ 0.004%

Cadmium (Cd) (newly added)
All batteries: ≤ 0.002%

3. Labelling, marking and information requirements

​- information identifying the manufacturer

- the ​battery category and information identifying the battery

- the place of manufacture

- the date of manufacture

- the weight

- the capacity

- the chemistry

- the hazardous substances present in the battery, other than mercury, cadmium or lead

- usable extinguishing agent

- critical raw materials present in the battery in a concentration of more than 0.1% weight by weight

- symbol for separate collection of batteries (the crossed-out wheeled bin)

- QR code

Directive 2006/66/EC is repealed with effect from August 18, 2025.