The batteries regulations

On the 5th May 2009, new regulations came into force about the way batteries and accumulators are collected, treated and recycled in the UK.

The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 implement in the UK the waste battery provisions of the EU Directive on Batteries and Accumulators and Waste Batteries and Accumulators 2006/66/EC.

These Regulations set out requirements for waste battery collection, treatment, recycling and disposal for all battery types. The Regulations also affect battery distributors/retailers, and waste battery collectors, recyclers and exporters.

These Regulations supplement the Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008, which introduced a range of product design requirements, including restrictions on the use of mercury and cadmium in new batteries, new battery labelling requirements and requirements for new appliances to be designed so that batteries can be easily removed.

This legislation will improve the environmental performance of batteries and accumulators and those involved in their life cycle.