Waste Battery Compliance Information

HAZARDOUS WASTE
BATTERIES

In addition to the UK Waste Battery Regulations, the Hazardous Waste Regulations in England and Wales and the Special Waste Regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland are the most significant pieces of legislation that regulate waste batteries.

The Hazardous Waste Regulations came into force in July 2005 and supercede the Special Waste Regulations in England and Wales.

It is vital that you recognize that batteries are essentially classed as hazardous waste because they contain corrosive elements such as sulphuric acid or potassium hydroxide, in addition to heavy metals like cadmium and lead. Some can also be explosive under certain conditions.

The Hazardous Waste Regulations incorporate strict rules for the storage, transportation and disposal of end-of-life batteries, and anyone failing to comply with these regulations may be committing an offence and be prosecuted, with penalties of unlimited fines and/ or up to 2 years imprisonment.

WASTE BATTERY REGULATIONS

The framework for managing batteries and battery waste in all of Europe, including the UK, is set forth in the EU Battery Regulations 2006/66/EC.

Two Statutory Instruments (SIs), one of which was passed in 2008 No. 1, strengthened these regulations in the UK. 2164: The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations of 2008, and No. The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations of 2009 are found at 890.

Regardless of the type, chemistry, or intended use of the batteries or appliance, anyone engaged in the sale of batteries or products or appliances containing batteries is required to be aware of and comply with these regulations.

The Directive's main goal is to lessen the harm that used batteries and accumulators cause to the environment. Because of this, it is not a carbon reduction initiative; however, the impact of carbon reduction may well inform future changes to the law.

The Directive's primary guiding principle is "Producer Responsibility," which states that the producers of the batteries must cover any expenses incurred in complying with the Directive's requirements.

No matter the type of battery, end users must have access to recycling for their used batteries, and this service must be provided without charge to end users who dispose of their used batteries in the system.

Regulations by battery type and chemistry

Three different battery categories are listed in the legislation: Automobile, Industrial & Portable Batteries.

The guidance notes provided for these three distinct categories outline specific collection targets for each. For example portable battery targets, have increased in recent years from 10 percent to 45 percent of the batteries "placed upon the market" annually.

Additionally, by stating that automotive and industrial batteries cannot be landfilled or burned, these notes effectively set a 100 percent collection target for those types of batteries.

Three different battery chemistries are also established by regulations: batteries with lead acid (55% recovery target), batteries made of nickel-cadmium (65% recovery target) and "Other" batteries (50% recovery target).

Although some chemistry types are more prevalent than others, each category of battery can be found manufactured using a different chemistry.

Lead acid batteries currently make up the majority of industrial and automotive batteries, respectively, but as more lithium ion batteries are being used in other vehicles, such as electric and hybrid cars, the ratios are changing.

Alkaline batteries make up the vast majority of portable batteries (75–80%), but other chemistries are starting to appear more frequently due to the rise of rechargeable portable appliances in daily life, including eBike, eScooters, eVape, and mobile phones. It is vital that you recognize that batteries are essentially classed as hazardous waste because they contain corrosive elements such as sulphuric acid or potassium hydroxide, in addition to heavy metals like cadmium and lead. Some can also be explosive under certain conditions.

your responsabilies risks and liabilities

It is your responsibility to make sure that your company complies with current waste battery legislation and that this waste is collected, recycled, and disposed of properly if you produce waste batteries.

The Waste Battery and Accumulator Regulations (amended 2015), the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2016, the Environment Protection Act 1990, and other pieces of UK and international legislation, among others, have an impact on the storage, collection, and recycling of used batteries.

These laws are enforced by a number of different organizations, including the Environment Agency in England and Wales, SEPA in Scotland, and the Environment and Heritage Agency in Northern Ireland. It is crucial that the law is fully comprehended and that any company that produces used batteries uses a compliant collection and recycling service to get rid of their waste.

HOW TO COMPLY WITH WASTE BATTERY LAW

It's critical to realize that proper battery disposal falls under the purview of the waste producer. In spite of this, the Lithion Loop team is here to support and assist you along the way, making sure you are able to correctly and accurately describe the type of batteries that need collecting.

Of course, if you have any questions about how to describe your used batteries, don't hesitate to give us a call. The collection, treatment, recycling, and export of waste are all governed by legal requirements that waste producers abide by. In addition, this complies with the requirements of the hazardous waste regulations.

Three major categories can be used to group batteries, and they are as follows: automotive batteries, industrial batteries, and portable batteries Regulations are slightly different for each category of battery.

In order to help protect the environment, the Batteries and Accumulators and Waste Batteries and Accumulators Directive does impose mandatory battery collection and recycling. Prevents the burning of batteries or their disposal in landfills, and limits on the materials used in batteries.

Lithion Loop experts have a great deal of experience recycling and disposing of used batteries in a safe and legal manner. They also have a thorough understanding of laws and environmental policies.

STORAGE OF WASTE BATTERIES. In accordance with the applicable legislation, it is also your responsibility as the manufacturer of used batteries to ensure that the waste is properly stored on your premises prior to collection and that it is then transported to the recycling facility.

THE PENALTIES FOR BREACH. Unlimited fines and/or up to two years in jail are possible sanctions for violating the relevant laws, which have harsh penalties for non-compliance.It is vital that you recognize that batteries are essentially classed as hazardous waste because they contain corrosive elements such as sulphuric acid or potassium hydroxide, in addition to heavy metals like cadmium and lead. Some can also be explosive under certain conditions.

Additional Information

UK WASTE BATTERY REGULATIONS Alongside the related waste battery regulations, other related legislation which it’s important you’re familiar with are: The Environmental Protection act 1990 (Pt2) and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care regulations) 1991 provide the framework for the environmental controls, information and documentation required for the storage, movement, recovery and disposal of controlled waste, such as batteries. It also specifies what the Duty of Care requirements are, and determines the way waste is stored, and handled. The Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and seizure of vehicles) regulations 1991, demands that only a carrier that is registered with the EA should move waste from your site and you must ensure that the license is current and available for inspection. The Landfil (England & Wales) Regulations 2002 prevents waste batteries from being landfilled as they do not meet the necessary ‘pre-treatment’ criteria to prevent them from exhibiting corrosive properties prior to being sent to landfill. This only applies to waste from commercial and industrial properties, as waste from domestic properties in general by definition cannot be hazardous. Visit for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regulations-batteries-and-waste-batteries#overview

EU WASTE BATTERY REGULATIONS The EU Battery regulations 2006/66/EC is the framework which determines how batteries and waste batteries should be managed throughout Europe, including in the UK. These regulations were reinforced in the UK by the passing of two Statutory Instruments (SI’s) one in 2008 No. 2164: The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 – and the second in 2009 No. 890: The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009. Anyone involved in the sale of batteries or products or appliances with batteries in must be aware of, and comply with these regulations irrespective of the type, chemistry or use of the batteries or appliance. The primary objective of the Directive is to minimise the negative impact of waste batteries and accumulators on the environment – in so much as it aims primarily to prevent heavy metal and other pollution, however, it is not a carbon reduction initiative, although the impact of carbon reduction may well guide subsequent amendments to the legislation. The main guiding principle of the Directive is that it holds ‘Producer Responsibility’, meaning that any costs associated with meeting the requirements of the Directive have to be met by the producers of the batteries. End users of the batteries, irrespective of the type, must be able to access recycling for their waste, and this must be available free of charge for those end users who place their waste batteries in the system, to ensure those batteries are recycled. For more information visit: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudr/2006/66/contents?view=plain

THE PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE The penalties for non-compliance with the issues legislation are severe and both unlimited fines and / or up to 2 years imprisonment can be enforced.

WASTE BATTERY LEGISLATION If you are a business who produces waste batteries, it is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with current waste battery legislation and that this waste if correctly collected, recycled and disposed of. There are several/numerous pieces of UK and international legislation that affect the storage, collection and recycling of waste batteries, including the Waste Battery and Accumulator regulations (amended 2015), the Hazardous Waste regulations 2016, the Environment Protection Act 1990 etc, and they are enforced by a variety of different bodies, including the Environment Agency in England and Wales, SEPA in Scotland and the Environment and Heritage Agency in Northern Ireland, as well as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (formerly VOSA) regards the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and some international organisations for Trans Frontier shipping. It is important that the legislation is properly understood and that any business who generates waste batteries utilises a compliant collection and recycling service to dispose of their waste

ADR TRANSPORTATION Lithium batteries are a significant fire risk and are classed as dangerous goods when it comes to transportation, even used batteries that are at the end of their life contain charge and need to be handled extremely carefully. At Cawleys’ Lithium Battery Recycling Solutions, we have all the necessary dangerous goods transportation licences and specialist vehicles that are fully equipped to move used batteries between facilities. Our team of experts can prepare the batteries for transportation, package them safely, and ensure they get to their end destination with minimal risk. Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADR_(treaty)

LI-ION BATTERY FIRE RISK In everyday use, li-ion batteries are stable and work as intended with no problems. But if one catches fire, the results can be catastrophic. A computer chip inside the battery is used to control the charge level. Under certain circumstances, such as if the battery has been damaged by dropping or piercing the device, a chemical reaction inside the battery can cause it to short circuit. This can cause the battery to severely overheat very quickly and go into ‘thermal runaway’, which can then lead to a fire. It’s, for this reason, Recover has very strict rules around the storage and transportation of li-ion batteries. Li-ion battery fires are very dangerous and can be difficult to deal with because they release flammable and toxic vapour which helps to fuel the fire. Specially designed lithium battery fire extinguishers are available, based on a material called vermiculate. A Class B fire extinguisher (powder, foam, CO2) can also be used, though the risk of fire reigniting is likely. Learn more: https://www.fia.uk.com/news/guidance-on-li-ion-battery-fires.html

ADR APPROVED PACKAGING Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods and as such, specialist storage and transportation boxes are required to ensure minimal fire risk. Lithion Loop Lithium Battery Recycling Solutions have a range of specialist-approved storage boxes to ensure safe packaging at all times. These boxes are available for both hire and purchase. Learn more: https://www.hse.gov.uk/cdg/manual/packaging.htm

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Lithion Loop makes sure it’s quick and easy to dispose of your waste batteries, from collection, storage, recycling and disposal, our team and processes are all focused on giving you confidence that you’re your employees are safe and your business is fully compliant

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Waste Battery Compliance Information

HAZARDOUS WASTE BATTERIES

In addition to the UK Waste Battery Regulations, the Hazardous Waste Regulations in England and Wales and the Special Waste Regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland are the most significant pieces of legislation that regulate waste batteries.

Additional Information

Book a Collection

HAZARDOUS WASTE
BATTERIES