EU New Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 was promulgated on July 28, 2023, and officially entered into force on August 17, 2023. It replaces the former Battery Directive 2006/66/EC. The core objective of this regulation is to ensure that batteries placed on the EU market are safe, sustainable, and competitive, regulating their entire lifecycle from production to reuse and recycling to reduce their environmental impact.

1. Definition of Batteries

The regulation applies to all types of batteries placed on the market or put into service within the EU (excluding special applications such as military, aerospace, nuclear energy, etc.).

2. Battery Classification

Based on their design and intended use, the regulation categorizes batteries into the following 5 main types:

3. Main Test Items

The regulation sets detailed requirements and limits for various performance, safety, and environmental indicators of batteries.1) Restrictions on Hazardous SubstancesThe content of hazardous substances in batteries must meet the following limits:

•Mercury (Hg): Shall not exceed 0.0005%

•Cadmium (Cd): Shall not exceed 0.002%

•Lead (Pb): Shall not exceed 0.01% from August 18, 2024Detection methods for these substances typically refer to the EN 62321 standard.

•Capacity Test: According to standards like EN 61960 (secondary lithium cells/batteries), IEC 61951 (nickel-based batteries), to verify if the nominal capacity meets the declared value.

•Cycle Life Test: According to standards like IEC 61427 or EN 50604 (for energy storage batteries), assessing capacity degradation after multiple charge/discharge cycles. For instance, the regulation requires EV batteries, etc., to withstand at least 800 full charge/discharge cycles while retaining over 80% capacity.

•Self-Discharge Rate Test: Referring to IEC 61960, measuring the charge loss of the battery in a non-use state.

•Mechanical Safety: Such as vibration, shock, crush tests (referencing IEC 62133-2, UN 38.3).

•Electrical Safety: Such as overcharge, short circuit, thermal abuse tests (referencing IEC 62619, EN 50604).

•Environmental Safety: Such as temperature and humidity tests (referencing the IEC 60068-2 series).

•Carbon Footprint: For electric vehicle batteries, rechargeable industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh, etc., carbon footprint calculation and reporting are required (according to ISO 14040/14044).

•Recycled Content: The regulation sets requirements for the proportion of specific recycled elements in certain battery categories and defines thresholds for recycled content to be achieved within specified future deadlines. For example, from 2031, electric vehicle batteries will be subject to minimum recycled content standards (Cobalt 16%, Lithium 6%, Nickel 6%, Lead 85%).

•Electrochemical Performance and Durability: Batteries must meet the regulation's specified limits for parameters such as rated capacity, charge retention, charge recovery, cycle endurance, and leakage resistance.

•General Information: All batteries shall be accompanied by a label containing manufacturer information, battery type, chemical composition, other hazardous substances beyond lead/cadmium/mercury, critical raw materials, etc.

•Capacity Information: Rechargeable portable batteries, LMT batteries, and SLI batteries shall indicate capacity information.

•Separate Collection Symbol: All batteries shall be marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. If the cadmium content exceeds 0.002% or lead exceeds 0.004%, the corresponding chemical symbol (Cd or Pb) must be added below the bin symbol.

•QR Code: Batteries shall be accompanied by a QR code containing information such as battery model, production date, certification number, etc., readable by common scanners.

•CE Marking: Batteries shall bear the CE marking before being placed on the market, indicating conformity with EU legislation.

•Battery Passport: From February 18, 2027, LMT batteries, industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh, and EV batteries placed on the market or put into service shall have a digital battery passport. The passport shall contain information on battery performance, composition, and origin, accessible via a QR code.

•August 18, 2024: Restrictions on hazardous substances, labeling, etc., become mandatory.

•February 18, 2025: Carbon footprint requirements for EV batteries become mandatory.

•August 18, 2025: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration and waste battery management obligations become mandatory for many Member States.

•February 18, 2027: Battery passport requirements take effect for applicable battery categories.

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