June 15, 2023: Battery industry leaders have largely welcomed new laws governing the sector approved by EU lawmakers on June 14 — but have warned more needs to be done to ensure consistency and support for all battery chemistries.

The European Parliament approved the Batteries Regulation, which will enter into force this summer if the Council of the European Union, which represents all EU member states, also approves the legislation next week.

EUROBAT executive director Rene Schroeder, said the European Commission must now ensure any new laws affecting batteries — such as upcoming end-of-life vehicles legislation and proposals to restrict certain substances and materials used in batteries — are aligned with the Batteries Regulation to ensure consistency.

EUROBAT also called for battery manufacturers to be involved in the development of related legislation to support climate change and clean energy goals.

International Lead Association regulatory affairs director Steve Binks also urged legislators to ensure the plethora of upcoming secondary legislation linked to the new regulation supports “strong and globally competitive battery value chains for all chemistries”.

In Europe, nearly all lead batteries are collected at the end of their life and processed by a highly efficient network of extensively regulated recyclers, Binks said.

On average, new batteries manufactured in the region contain more than 80% of recycled raw materials.

“Lead batteries are almost unique in their delivery of a circular economy that means that European production is not dependent upon the import of critical raw materials and is strategically autonomous.”

Binks said last December that around 50 pieces of secondary legislation related to the Batteries Regulation need to be confirmed.