Batteries distributor

The batteries regulations require companies selling portable batteries to end users professionally (distributors) to take back waste portable batteries free of charge from end-users.

From 1 February 2010, distributors who sell more than 32 kilograms a year of batteries will need to accept waste portable batteries without charge. This is regardless of the method of sale used. For example, the regulations apply to both shops selling batteries and to all distance sellers (e.g. Internet sales / mail order) within the UK that sell batteries to UK end-users. Distributors must also provide information at their sales points to end-users about their take-back arrangements.

Distributors who sell equipment containing batteries do not have to take back batteries from end-users, unless they also sell portable batteries separately. A distance seller will need to tell his customers how they take back waste portable batteries e.g. through their mail-order adverts, on-screen during online sales, and/or through leaflets included with purchases. In taking back batteries, distance sellers should bear in mind that battery collections should take into account the environmental impact of transport.

If, as well as selling batteries to end users, you also put batteries on to the UK market for the first time you will also be a producer. If you are in any doubt you should look at the information on the definition of producers. If you are a producer and distributor you will need to fulfil both producer and distributor obligations.

Distributors will have to accept all types of portable battery (not just the kind they sell). They will not have to accept industrial or automotive batteries.

Distributors must provide information to end-users at their sales points about their arrangements for taking back waste batteries. A Distributor must not show the cost of collecting, treating and recycling waste portable batteries when selling new batteries to end-users.

The regulations exempt distributors that are likely to only collect a small number of waste batteries. The exemption has been introduced because of the need to avoid the environmental costs of transporting a few batteries from a distributor as this could outweigh the benefits of recycling. This exemption applies to shops that sell less than 32 kilograms (about 1400 AA batteries) a year. These shops will not have to accept waste portable batteries from consumers.

This exemption applies regardless of whether a shop is part of a chain. Large retail chains who sell batteries are, therefore, likely to have some shops which have to accept back waste portable batteries and some which do not. A shop could choose to accept batteries from end-users even if they are below the threshold, but they would then be treated as an economic operator and not be entitled to free collection from BCSs in the same way.