Recently, the Official Journal of the European Union officially promulgated the Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and used batteries, amending Directive 2008/98/EC and EU Regulation 2019/1020, while replacing and repealing the primary battery Directive 2006/66/EC.
According to the regulation, since the relevant time node, the future new electric vehicle (EV) batteries, light vehicle (LMT) batteries and industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2kWh, must have a carbon footprint declaration and labeling, as well as a digital battery passport to enter the EU market, and the recycling ratio of important raw materials for batteries has made relevant requirements. This regulation is regarded as a "green trade barrier" for new batteries to enter the EU market in the future. This means that the EU has raised the threshold for all battery products, including Chinese battery products, to enter the EU market.
The main contents of the new battery law in the EU
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▊01- In terms of application, the Act will have dual application:
The management of waste batteries applies to all types of batteries:
Portable battery; Automotive Starting (SLI) batteries that provide power for vehicle starting, lighting, or ignition; Light vehicle (LMT) batteries that provide traction power for wheeled vehicles such as electric scooters and electric bicycles; Electric vehicle (EV) batteries; Industrial batteries.
The carbon footprint requirements apply to electric vehicle batteries, light vehicle batteries and rechargeable industrial batteries, with different timelines depending on the type of battery:
The regulation will apply five years after its entry into force to industrial batteries above 2kwh (except batteries that are fully stored externally), electric vehicle (EV) batteries and vehicle starting (SLI) batteries, and 10 years after that to light transport vehicle (LMT) batteries. The above refers to batteries placed on the market or put into use in the Member States of the European Union, whether locally produced or imported, whether used alone or integrated into final products such as electrical and electronic equipment and vehicles.
▊02- Evaluate and phase out general-purpose non-rechargeable portable batteries by 2030 and design portable batteries that are easy for consumers to remove and replace.
▊03- Mandatory carbon footprint disclosure: Electric vehicle (EV) batteries, light vehicle batteries (LMT, such as scooters and e-bikes) and industrial rechargeable batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh will be subject to mandatory carbon footprint disclosure, accompanied by a statement.
Batteries should be labelled: in order to provide the end user with transparent, reliable and clear information about the battery and waste batteries. This information will enable end users to make informed decisions when purchasing and discarding batteries, and enable waste operators to dispose of waste batteries appropriately.
Request a digital battery passport.
▊04- Regulations on due diligence: According to the battery industry due Diligence Policy, all economic operators placing batteries on the EU market, except smes, are required to develop and implement a "due diligence policy" in line with international standards to address the procurement, processing and trade of raw and secondary raw materials with social and environmental risks associated with batteries.
▊05- Minimum proportion of recycled material required for new battery manufacturing:
The EU's new battery regulation 8.17 has come into force, mandating the disclosure of carbon footprints! - Rui Chi Technology Co., LTD (PTTS) Group #0
▊06- More stringent waste collection targets:
The EU's new battery regulation 8.17 has come into force, mandating the disclosure of carbon footprints! - Rui Chi Technology Co., LTD (PTTS) Group #1
As the birthplace of the automotive industry, Europe plays a pivotal role in the global automotive industry chain. Since Europe announced that it will ban the sale of new fuel vehicles by 2035, Europe has become a key market for electric vehicle companies and power battery companies. From the perspective of the impact of this regulation:
First, in order to meet the requirements of the bill, the cost of Chinese battery companies going to Europe will be greatly increased;
Second, the application of battery carbon footprint, digital battery passport, etc. will change the existing business model, and low-carbon will become one of the core competitiveness of the lithium battery industry chain;
Third, to achieve accurate traceability of industry chain information, from mining to raw materials, to battery materials, batteries, systems, the battery life cycle of all links of the enterprise must be included in the carbon footprint, digital battery passport and other management systems, which also makes the industry chain related enterprises face great challenges.
PTTS Reminder
Low-carbon has become a powerful weapon for Western countries to restrict China's trade, and will become one of the core competitiveness of the lithium battery industry in the future. As the master of the global battery industry chain, China's battery enterprises should be the first to layout, improve the product life cycle carbon management ability, the management object from the use stage of carbon emissions to the whole industrial chain of carbon emissions transition, in order to break the green trade barriers, gain recognition from the capital market.
