Batteries regulations scope

The definition of a battery or accumulator is ‘any source of electrical energy generated by direct conversion of chemical energy and consisting of one or more primary battery cells (non rechargeable) or consisting of one or more battery cells (rechargeable)’.

The Regulations apply to all types of batteries and accumulators, regardless of their shape, volume, weight, material composition or use, and whether or not they are incorporated into appliances.

Automotive batteries are defined as:

Used for starting, or the ignition of, a vehicle engine, or for powering the lights of a vehicle

Industrial batteries are defined as:

Designed entirely for industrial or professional uses
Used for powering electric vehicles
Unsealed but not automotive
Sealed but not portable

Portable batteries are defined as:

Sealed
Capable of being hand-carried by the average person without difficulty
Not automotive or industrial

Portable batteries include AAA cells, through mobile phone batteries, to button cells used in hearing aids and watches. If a battery is available for purchase by all end users (i.e. the general public) then it is likely to be portable unless it is too big to be hand-carried or has specific uses listed as automotive or industrial.