Battery Regulations
The Batteries and Accumulators Regulations require battery producers to...
- Ensure control on levels of mercury, cadmium and lead
- Assist in recycling through clear labelling
- Ensure on disposal it is properly treated and recycled
Who is Responsible?
Retailers and Distributors
If you are a retailor or distributor selling more than 32kgs of batteries per year (that's about 250 packs of AA batteries), you must provide free instore battery take back. Wastepack can help and advise you on the best way to do this so contact us today.
Producers
You are a producer if you are the manufacturer or importer that places batteries on the UK market. Your obligation will vary depending on the type of batteries you are responsible for. The regulations have divided batteries into three categories:
- Designed exclusively for industrial or professional use
- Powers an electric or hybrid vehicle
- Unsealed but not automotive
An example would be a specific battery used in a specialist piece of equipment, batteries used in electric or hybrid vehicles, or batteries used in emergency lighting. A common battery (such as an AA) which is being used in a professional application (such as a desk top calculator) would NOT be considered to be an Industrial battery.
If you are a producer of Industrial Batteries, you must register with the Department for Business, Innovations and Skill (BIS), declare the weight and type of batteries that you are placing on the market, and offer free takeback on all industrial batteries from end users.
How do I register?
To Register, you can visit the Environment Agency's NPWD website by clicking here or contact us for more information.
- Starts a vehicles engine
- Powers the lights in the vehicle
If you are a producer of Automotive Batteries, you must register with the Department for Business, Innovations and Skill (BIS), declare the weight and type of batteries that you are placing on the market, and offer free takeback on all industrial batteries from end users.
How do I register?
To Register, you can visit the Environment Agency's NPWD website by clicking here or contact us for more information.
- Sealed
- Under 4kg
- Not Industrial or Automotive
For example, AA batteries, mobile phone batteries, laptop batteries, watch batteries, camera batteries etc. If you manufacture portable batteries in the UK, import them or products that contain them you will probably be affected by these regulations and will need to register your obligation.
How do I register?
If you place less than one tonne of portable batteries on the UK market every year, you are classed as a small producer. Small producers must register directly with the Environment Agency via the National Packaging Waste Database. You will need to provide information on the total amount of batteries that you have placed on the market during the year split into three separate groups: Ni-cad, Lead acid and other batteries. The Environment Agency charges a small annual registration fee of £30. You will not be required to finance the collection, treatment and recycling of batteries. You can access the National Packaging Waste Database and register by clicking here or contact us for more information.
If you place more than one tonne of batteries on the market you are classed as a large producer and you will need to join a Battery Compliance Scheme (BCS). Battery Compliance Schemes will:
- Register you annually with the correct environmental regulator.
- Pay the environmental regulator £600 annually for each member.
- Send information to your environmental regulator about the batteries you placed on the market in the previous 2 years and current year.
- Get evidence notes for the collection and treatment or portable batteries.
- Send information to your environmental regulator about the waste batteries they collect and deliver for treatment and recycling.
The amount a producer pays is directly related to each producer's share of the amount of batteries each producer places on the UK market. This is the only way large producers can comply.
The Wastepack Group has partnered with BatteryBack; if you are a large producer and need to join a Battery Compliance Scheme, please contact us and make compliance easier.
