batteries
The EC Directive
on Batteries and Accumulators (2006/66/EC) was published on 26 September 2006.
It aims to minimise the impact of batteries on the environment and encourage
the recovery of the materials they contain.
The Battery
Directive, which affects battery producers and retailers, has
been transposed into UK law through two new statutory instruments:
- The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations
2008
- The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009
The new directive
covers all batteries regardless of shape, volume, weight, material composition
or use. Batteries used specifically for military applications or in equipment
designed to be sent into space are excluded from the scope of the directive.
The UK currently
collects less than 3% of used portable batteries for recycling, but recycles
approx 90% of spent automotive and industrial lead-acid batteries. Therefore,
the main focus for improvement in the UK will be to improve the collection and
recycling rates of domestic portable batteries.
If you want
to find out more about the Batteries Directive, or if you think your organisation
might be affected by these regulations, visit the:
Valpak Limited
website.
Further information
on batteries and recycling can be found on the
British Battery Manufacturers
Association website and at
www.rebat.com
