The Timeline of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (EU New Battery Regulation)

Official full title: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 concerning batteries and waste batteries amending Directive 2008/98/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Directive 2006/66/EC  

Background

The Communication of the Commission of 11 December 2019 on ‘The European Green Deal’ (the ‘European Green Deal’) is Europe’s growth strategy that aims to transform the Union into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. A shift from the use of fossil fuels in vehicles to electromobility is one of the prerequisites for reaching the climate neutrality goal in 2050. In order for the Union’s product policies to contribute to lowering carbon emissions on a global level, it needs to be ensured that products marketed and sold in the Union are sourced and manufactured in a sustainable manner

Stage 1: Legislative Launch & Entry into Force (2023)

1. 28 July 2023
   • Official publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU)
   • The legal text is released; transitional preparation period starts for manufacturers, importers and distributors.
2. 17 August 2023
   • The regulation formally enters into force across all EU Member States
   • Core framework law becomes legally binding; most specific compliance obligations apply later via staggered deadlines.

Stage 2: General Mandatory Application (2024)

18 February 2024 – Baseline mandatory application for all battery categories

• General administrative obligations for all economic operators (manufacturers, importers, authorized representatives, distributors)
• Basic labelling rules, producer registration scheme setup, waste battery collection foundational rules
• Replaceability/removability baseline rules for portable batteries integrated into consumer goods

18 August 2024 – Enhanced safety, performance & conformity rules

1. CE marking conformity assessment procedures for all batteries (mandatory for EU market access)
2. Safety standards for stationary energy storage battery systems
3. Performance & durability requirements for:
   • EV traction batteries
   • Rechargeable industrial batteries (>2 kWh)
   • Light Means of Transport (LMT: e-bikes, e-scooters, light EVs) batteries
4. Full Chapter VII obligations: general market surveillance, traceability record-keeping for all battery operators

Stage 3: Carbon Footprint & Waste Management Kick-off (2025)

18 February 2025 – EV Battery Carbon Footprint Declaration Mandate

• All electric vehicle traction batteries must complete full lifecycle carbon footprint calculation, declaration and public disclosure
• Rule applies unless the delegated/implementing acts on carbon footprint enter force later (whichever latest)EUR-Lex

18 August 2025 – Waste Battery Management Full Implementation

• Chapter VIII waste collection, treatment, recycling targets formally enforced
• Separate collection marking symbols (Pb, Cd, Hg) mandatory on all relevant batteries
• Producer responsibility schemes (EPR) fully operational for portable, LMT, industrial and EV waste batteries

Note: Original due diligence deadline (18 Aug 2025) was postponed via EU amendment to 18 August 2027 for large enterprises

Stage 4: Industrial Battery Carbon Rules & Advanced Labelling (2026)

18 February 2026 – Industrial Rechargeable Battery Carbon Footprint

• Mandatory carbon footprint reporting for all rechargeable industrial batteries (excluding standalone external storage batteries)EUR-Lex

Late 2026 – Extended labelling obligations

• Mandatory printed information on battery lifespan, rated capacity for all rechargeable batteries
• Harmonized EU battery classification labelling standards fully rolled out

Stage 5: Battery Passport, Replaceability & Supply Chain Due Diligence (2027)

18 February 2027

1. Mandatory Digital Battery Passport (QR code traceability)

Coverage: EV batteries, LMT batteries, rechargeable industrial batteries (>2 kWh)

The QR code links to full lifecycle digital data: origin, carbon footprint, material composition, recyclability, conformity records

2. Strict removability & replaceability rules

Portable batteries in consumer electronics, LMT batteries must be easily removable without specialized tools for end-users

18 August 2027 – Mandatory Raw Material Supply Chain Due Diligence

• Applies to all battery operators with annual turnover exceeding €40 million
• Full traceability & risk mitigation for conflict minerals: cobalt, lithium, nickel, graphite, manganese
• Annual due diligence audit reports must be submitted to EU market surveillance authorities

End of 2027 – Waste Recovery Target Milestone

• Portable battery separate collection target: 63%
• Recovery efficiency targets for cobalt, copper, lead, nickel from waste batteries: 90%
• Lithium recovery rate from waste batteries: 50%EUR-Lex
• Old Battery Directive 2006/66/EC fully repealed after this dateEUR-Lex

Stage 6: Recycled Content Quotas & LMT Carbon Footprint (2028)

18 February 2028 – LMT Battery Carbon Footprint Declaration Mandate

• All light transport vehicle batteries (e-bikes, e-scooters) must publish full lifecycle carbon footprint data

18 August 2028 – Mandatory Minimum Recycled Material Content Quotas

Covers EV batteries and industrial rechargeable batteries (>2 kWh):

• Cobalt: 16% minimum recycled input
• Lead: 85% minimum recycled input
• Lithium: 6% minimum recycled input
• Nickel: 6% minimum recycled input
• Graphite: 10% minimum recycled input
• Manufacturers must declare recycled material ratios on battery passport and packaging

End of 2028 – LMT Waste Collection Target

• Separate collection rate for LMT waste batteries: 51%EUR-Lex

Stage 7: Long-term Circular Economy Targets (2030–2031)

End of 2030

1. Portable battery waste separate collection target upgraded to 73%
2. Additional carbon footprint rules for small portable industrial batteries take effect

End of 2031 – Ultimate recycling recovery benchmarks

• Cobalt, copper, lead, nickel recovery efficiency from waste batteries: 95%
• Lithium recovery efficiency from waste batteries: 80%
• LMT waste battery separate collection target: 61%EUR-Lex

Timetable