Waste batteries

The term ‘battery’ means any device delivering electrical energy generated by direct conversion of chemical energy, having internal or external storage, and consisting of one or more non-rechargeable or rechargeable battery cells, modules or of packs of them, and includes a battery that has been subject to preparation for re‑use, preparation for repurposing, repurposing or remanufacturing; Accumulators are thus also covered by this definition. At European level, the legal framework is already laid down in Regulation (EU) 2023/1542:

European provisions are implemented at national level through the Battery Implementation Act (BattDG).

A distinction is made between portable batteries, light means of transport batteries (LMT batteries), starting, lighting and ignition batteries (SLI batteries), industrial batteries and electric vehicle batteries.

Batteries are made from valuable raw materials. The recovery of lead, sulphuric acid, iron, steel, ferromanganese, nickel, zinc, copper, aluminium, cadmium, cobalt and lithium, for example, helps conserve resources. However, batteries also contain substances that are harmful to human health and the environment, which is why they may not be disposed of as household waste or in the environment. For example, if lithium-ion batteries are not disposed of in the correct waste disposal facilities and thus not properly treated, they can cause fires, thus posing a risk to humans, the environment and the economy.

Consumers can return waste portable batteries and waste light means of transport batteries (LMT batteries) free of charge to retailers or municipal facilities (for example recycling centres or mobile pollutant collection centres). From 1 January 2026, consumers can also easily dispose of waste batteries from e-bikes and e-scooters at municipal civic amenity sites. They can also be returned at voluntary collection points, which can be private or public facilities.

Consumers can return starting, lighting and ignition batteries (SLI batteries), industrial batteries and electric vehicle batteries free of charge to retailers. Municipalities can also participate in the collection of SLI batteries and industrial batteries.

Battery producers are subject to extended producer responsibility. They are responsible for the collection and proper disposal of waste batteries. Battery producers are therefore required to appoint a producer responsibility organisation or fulfil their extended producer responsibility individually. The producer responsibility organisation handles the logistics of collecting waste batteries from collection points and their disposal.

They are also required to inform consumers about the separate collection, return and collection points as well as the disposal of waste batteries. Producers must cover the costs of these measures through their financial contributions to the producer responsibility organisation.

A list of approved producer responsibility organisations is available on the website of stiftung ear, the authority under the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act for registering producers.