Battery Regulation: new obligations in force

Since 18 February 2024, the European Battery Regulation 2023/1542 now applies in all Member States.

While it will only repeal the Battery Directive 2006/66/EC with effect from 18 August 2025, the first requirements and obligations of the new regulation came into force on 18 August 2024.

The newly applicable requirements include:

CE conformity and battery labelling

• Batteries must now undergo a CE conformity assessment procedure before being placed on the market. It is not sufficient to ‘re-label’ batteries that have already been produced with the CE marking or to add the Battery Regulation to an existing CE declaration.
• In addition to the CE marking, batteries must bear new labelling that includes the address of the manufacturer and importer, as well as a batch and serial number.
• In addition, all batteries must be accompanied by instructions for use with safety information.

Substance restriction on lead

• The limit of 0.01% on lead means that portable batteries containing lead are de facto banned from the market.

Battery storage and management systems

• New safety requirements apply to stationary battery storage systems, which must be verified as part of CE conformity.
• Battery management systems must store and make readable data on the ageing status and expected service life of stationary battery storage systems and traction batteries for light and electric vehicles.
• Rechargeable industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2kW and traction batteries for light and electric vehicles must also contain information on performance and service life.