Staying charged: the evolving regulatory landscape needed for sustainable battery production

As we move towards a green transition, the demand for battery technology is significantly increasing. However, this demand brings with it a set of challenges for sustainable production, such as the potential shortages of critical minerals.

In this article, MBF Member, DNV looks at how the EU Commission is developing a regulatory framework for battery production to encourage traceability and sustainable end-of-life processing.

Photo credit - DNV Website

Fuelled by the EU’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 and the growth of energy storage systems, the demand for batteries is expected to skyrocket over the next decade. To ensure that this expected mass increase in battery production is sustainable, the European Commission is taking action as part of its Circular Action Plan.

A new regulatory framework will modernize the 2006 Battery Directive, with a renewed focus on sustainable production, deployment, and waste management of batteries, including portable batteries, automotive batteries, industrial batteries, and batteries for electric vehicles.

What are the upcoming regulations?

The EU Battery Regulation Amendment (agreed by EU Parliament and the European Council in December 2022), or Sustainable Batteries Regulation, seeks to improve traceability by making information available across the battery value chain, from sourcing to production to end-of-life processing. It aims to establish a comprehensive framework covering all types of batteries, addressing the whole lifecycle.

Who does this affect?

Operators placing batteries on the EU market will be required to provide specific up-to-date documentation and accurate information on the product and production process.