November 17, 2024: Ten consortia representing some of the world’s leading battery cell manufacturers have completed the largest pre-competitive effort to establish harmonized battery passports, the Global Battery Alliance said on November 7.

The GBA, a public-private collaboration initiative founded in 2017 at the World Economic Forum, said the move is a milestone towards more transparent and sustainable battery value chains.

All manufacturers involved worked with digital solution providers to determine provenance and flow of seven materials — lithium, graphite (artificial), aluminium, cobalt, copper, iron phosphate and nickel.

Cell manufacturers representing over 80% of the global EV battery market share mobilised their supply chains from mining companies to refiners, manufacturers and recyclers to participate in the pilots, including Contemporary Amperex Technology,  Gotion High-tech, LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and Sunwoda Electronic.

Participating in the pilot allowed companies to benchmark their preparedness against the due diligence requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation, which will be implemented from 2025.

GBA said the consortia have established “rulebooks” covering a range of issues including tackling greenhouse gas emissions, environmental and human rights, and child labour.

Inga Petersen, executive director of the GBA, said, “Having the world’s leading cell manufacturers mobilize their supply chains, work pre-competitively and report on harmonised sustainability expectations, represents an unprecedented commitment to greater transparency and sustainability in the battery industry.”

Batteries International reported in January 2023 that Battery Council International had joined international organizations in becoming a member of the GBA.