Proposal for a Regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries, repealing Directive 2006/66/EC and amending Regulation (EU) No 2019/1020

Summary:

Legislative initiative tabled by the European Commission on 10 December 2020 concerning batteries and waste batteries. It repeals Directive 2006/66/EC and introduces a number of amendments to Regulation (EU) No 2019/1020. This is a text with EEA relevance.

Further information:

This proposal aims to modernise the European Union's legislative framework for batteries, which has been regulated at EU level under Directive 2006/66/EC (Batteries Directive). This modernisation was deemed necessary due to changed economic conditions, technological developments, markets, and battery uses. It also amends Regulation (EU) No 2019/1020 concerning market surveillance and compliance of products.

The objectives are threefold:

• Strengthening the functioning of the internal market, by ensuring a level playing field through a common set of rules;
• Promoting a circular economy;
• Reducing environmental and social impacts through all stages of the battery life cycle.

The draft law builds on commitments and reports adopted by the European Commission, including the Strategic Action Plan on Batteries, the New Industrial Strategy for Europe and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. It also delivers on the actions announced in the New Circular Economy Action Plan. Both the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament also called for action to support the transition to electro-mobility, carbon-neutral energy storage, and a sustainable battery value chain.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

EEB: News, 10/12/2020: Sustainable batteries: Revised EU laws can pave way for greener transport https://eeb.org/sustainable-batteries-revised-eu-laws-can-pave-way-for-greener-transport/

EPRS: Briefing, February 2021: New EU regulatory framework for batteries: Setting sustainability requirements https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2021)689337

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News

EurActiv, 10/12/2020: EU seeks competitive edge from green batteries https://www.euractiv.com/section/batteries/news/eu-seeks-competitive-edge-from-green-batteries/

Euronews, 10/12/2020: EU proposes stricter regulations on batteries to reach climate targets https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/10/eu-proposes-stricter-regulations-on-batteries-to-reach-climate-targets

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Official

EUR-Lex: SWD(2020)334: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2020:334:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2020)335: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Impact Assessment Report https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2020:335:FIN

European Commission: DG Environment: Batteries https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/batteries/

European Commission: Press Release, 10/12/2020: Green Deal: Sustainable batteries for a circular and climate neutral economy https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2312

European Commission: Questions and Answers on Sustainable Batteries Regulation (10 December 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_2311

European Commission: Speech by Vice-President Šefčovič at the Press conference on sustainability requirements for batteries in the EU (10 December 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_2378

European Commission: Remarks by Commissioner Sinkevičius on the Green Deal - Sustainable batteries for a circular and climate neutral economy (10 December 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_2380

European Commission: Speech by Commissioner Breton at the Press conference on sustainability requirements for batteries in the EU (10 December 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_2382

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