Reductions in the amount of cadmium and mercury to be released into the environment has become much closer as the EU Council and the European Parliament reach informal agreement on the revision of the directive on batteries and accumulators.
Formal approval is still needed by Parliament which should happen in September, which will then be followed by the Council’s decision. Once entered in force, EU member states will have 18 months to incorporate it into national legislation.
Portable batteries and accumulators containing more than 0,002% of cadmium and portable batteries and accumulators containing cadmium intended for use in cordless power tools will be banned under this Directive.
Button cells with mercury content less than 2% by weight will also be prohibited, and the Commission will report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the availability of alternatives to button cells for hearing aids.
Batteries and accumulators already on the market prior to the respective bans can still be marketed until stocks run out.
For further information on this Directive or on batteries legislation from around the world, please contact us.
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