March 6, 2026: European battery trade association EUROBAT has launched an appeal over a €125,000 ($145,000) fine for breaching EU antitrust rules.

The European Commission fined EUROBAT last December — together with lead battery majors Exide, FET (including its predecessor Elettra) and Rombat — related to participation in a “long-running cartel” in respect of automotive starter batteries.

However, EUROBAT said on March 4 it had formally lodged an appeal to the EU’s General Court seeking to annul the Commission’s decision, saying the move was to ensure that the role and responsibilities of trade associations are accurately and proportionately interpreted under EU competition law.

The trade body said: “Maintaining the highest standards of compliance, integrity and transparency always was, and remains, a guiding principle for the association. EUROBAT continues to support fair and robust competition within the European battery sector and will engage constructively with the relevant authorities throughout the appeal proceedings.”

The Commission said last December that Clarios (formerly JC Autobatterie) had also been involved in what was also said to be a “long-running cartel”. However, Clarios was not fined because it received full immunity for revealing the existence of the cartel.

The Commission said it had also closed proceedings against lead manufacturing giant Banner and EUROBAT service provider Kellen.

Batteries International reported last month that Rombat owner, South Africa’s Metair Investments, had signalled it was ready for a potential legal battle with the Commission over Rombat’s fine.