June 5, 2025: The first cohort of eight sites taking part in the international Lead Battery 360° Certification program (LB360) have been unveiled.
The International Lead Association told Batteries International on June 2 the move marked a key milestone for the program, which is designed to promote sustainable and responsible production and material sourcing practices in the lead battery supply chain.
The announcement came after the launch of the LB360 certification program by battery industry leaders earlier this year, following the inauguration of the overall initiative in October 2022.
Eight facilities including lead battery production and recycling facilities in Europe, North America, Asia and Mexico are taking part in the program — from Clarios, East Penn Manufacturing, Ecobat and Boliden.
All have signed letters of commitment and have been accepted as participants for LB360.
In the next year, each site will undergo independent third-party assurance checks to confirm they have successfully implemented policies and practices that meet the performance expectations described in the Lead Battery 360° Code.
Under the LB360 standards, sites that are certified participants must be judged to have ‘fully met’ all performance expectations or have committed to a performance improvement plan for non-critical requirements that are considered to have been ‘partially met.’
These certified participants are encouraged to promote their partnership with Lead Battery 360°, highlighting their certification status and identifying them as a site that operates responsible production and material sourcing practices within the lead battery supply chain.
ILA executive director Andy Bush said: “For lead batteries to continue to be a product of choice it is important that companies can demonstrate they are committed to responsible manufacturing and sourcing practices.”
Bush said it was hoped many more sites would apply to become participants in the next 12 months.
Roger Miksad, president and executive director of Battery Council International, said: “BCI data shows that the vast majority of lead used in US battery manufacturing comes from North American recyclers operating at the highest levels of safety and environmental standards.
“But we also know that other regions of the world do not operate with that same commitment to circularity and public health.”
Miksad praised BCI members that have joined LB360 to date.
EUROBAT general manager Gert Meylemans said he looked forward to seeing some of his association’s members also embrace the campaign.
Meanwhile Mark DeLaquil, general counsel of the US-based Association of Battery Recyclers, said the program was an important step toward advancing responsible production and recycling practices across the global supply chain.
