Batteries and Accumulators Regulation

The Italian regulatory framework governing batteries and accumulators and related waste is Legislative Decree No. 188/08, which implemented Directive 2006/66/EC. In 2016 Legislative Decree No. 188/08 has undergone changes with the enactment of Legislative Decree No. 27/2016.

The new features are limited to a formal replacement of WEEE legislation references contained in Legislative Decree No. 188/08 (reference is now made to Legislative Decree 49/2014 instead of the old Legislative Decree 151/05), the elimination of the exemption for the placing on the national market of nickel-cadmium batteries for cordless electric tools (from 1 January 2017), and the exemption relating to mercury in button batteries, and the inclusion of new obligations for Producers regarding instructions that must be provided on the correct removal of waste batteries and accumulators from equipment.

Preparatory work for the drafting and publication of a new Directive on Batteries and Accumulators is in progress at EU level, and has to take account of a market that has changed radically compared to 10 years ago, when the historic Directive 2006/66/EC was issued.

Why a Batteries Directive?

• waste produced by batteries is constantly increasing and driven by the growing demand for miniaturised components;
• to promote a less polluted environment by minimising the harmful substances contained in batteries;
• batteries that do not meet the limits of harmful content are banned on the European market;
• to promote research and provide economic incentives to improve the environmental performance of batteries during their entire life cycle;
• revenue from recycling is sufficient to cover all collection and reprocessing costs in the sector;
• in Italy the European Directive has been implemented with Legislative Decree No. 188/2008.