Strategies for Meeting the Key Deadlines of the New EU Battery Regulations on August 18, 2024

The official effective date is August 18,2024.From August 18,2024,all provisions and requirements of the regulation will begin to be enforced within the European Union.

This means that from August 18,2024,battery manufacturers,importers,distributors,and other relevant stakeholders must comply with all provisions of the regulation.This includes strict requirements for battery design,production,labeling,carbon footprint reporting,and recycling targets.If these requirements are not met,the relevant enterprises may face legal consequences or be prohibited from selling their products in the EU market.

I.Background of the New EU Battery Regulation

The regulation covers multiple aspects such as hazardous substance control,carbon footprint,CE conformity assessment,labeling requirements,and due diligence,and requires enterprises to implement it in phases.The following are the detailed implementation content and enterprise response strategies at the key time node of August 18,2024.

II.And Coping Strategies

Limits on Hazardous Substances

The new regulation strictly restricts the use of hazardous substances in batteries,mainly including:

REACH Regulation: It is required to strictly comply with the restricted substances listed in Annex 17.

End - of - Life Vehicles Directive (Directive 2000/53/EC):

• Lead: ≤0.1%

• Mercury: ≤0.1%

• Hexavalent Chromium: ≤0.1%

• Cadmium: ≤0.01%

Battery Directive:

• Mercury: ≤0.0005%

• Cadmium: ≤0.002% (Portable Batteries)

• Lead: ≤0.01% (Portable Batteries)

Response Strategies

Enterprises need to re - evaluate their supply chains and raw material sources to ensure compliance with the new limits on hazardous substances.It is recommended to cooperate closely with suppliers to obtain a statement of conformity and necessary chemical composition analysis reports to prove the compliance of products.

Electrochemical Performance and Durability

Rechargeable industrial batteries,electric vehicle batteries,and light - duty vehicle batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh must provide detailed documents on electrochemical performance and durability parameters.These documents should prove that the product performance meets the strict EU standards.

Response Strategies

Enterprises should conduct comprehensive performance tests on battery products to ensure that their durability and electrochemical performance meet EU standards.It is recommended to develop and optimize internal testing procedures to ensure that all products meet the requirements.

Safety of Stationary Battery Energy Storage Systems

Stationary battery energy storage systems must prepare safety technical documents containing the following:

(1) Warning signs for fire or explosion prevention.

(2) Test certificates for eliminating safety hazards.

(3) Complete safety parameters,such as thermal shock and cycling,external short - circuit protection,etc.

(4) Assessment of safety hazards.

Response Strategies

Enterprises should strengthen the safety testing and assessment process to ensure the safety of stationary battery energy storage systems.It is recommended to cooperate with third - party certification bodies to obtain relevant safety certifications and test reports.

Labeling,Marking,and Information Requirements

All batteries must clearly indicate the content of lead and cadmium,and provide detailed parameters of health status and expected lifespan for stationary energy storage systems,light - duty vehicle batteries,and electric vehicle batteries.

Response Strategies

Enterprises need to ensure that their product labels meet the requirements of the new regulation and prepare detailed technical documents to support the accuracy and compliance of the label information.It is recommended to review and update the existing labels.

Battery Management System

From August 18,2024,all fixed energy storage systems,batteries for light vehicles,and batteries for electric vehicles must be equipped with a battery management system that can store and provide critical data on the battery’s health status and expected lifespan.

Response Strategies

Enterprises should develop or purchase a battery management system (BMS) that meets the requirements and ensure that it can be seamlessly integrated with battery products.It is recommended to test and verify the functions of the BMS to ensure its reliability and data accuracy.

CE Conformity Assessment Procedure

All battery products must complete the CE conformity assessment,specifically including:

(1) Submitting a statement of conformity.

(2) Preparing technical documents covering basic information of the enterprise and the battery,production process,performance/safety parameters,labeling,etc.

(3) Providing test reports.

Response Strategies

Enterprises need to establish a comprehensive compliance process to ensure that all products complete the CE conformity assessment before entering the EU market.It is recommended to develop detailed technical documents and cooperate with certification bodies to ensure that all assessment steps are completed on time.

III.Future Obligations: Carbon Footprint and Recycling

Carbon Footprint

Enterprises need to monitor and report carbon emissions during the production and use of batteries.

Use of Recycled Materials

Promote the use of recycled materials to reduce dependence on virgin resources.

Waste Battery Recycling

Establish an effective recycling and reuse system to ensure the environmentally friendly treatment of waste batteries.

Response Strategies

Enterprises should start preparing for future compliance work,establish a carbon footprint monitoring system and a waste battery recycling system.It is recommended to conduct a life - cycle analysis to identify opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint and increase the use of recycled materials.

Conclusion

The new EU battery regulations set higher environmental and safety standards for battery products,and companies need to take immediate action to ensure compliance with these new requirements by August 18,2024.By formulating a detailed compliance strategy,optimizing product design,and managing the supply chain,companies can maintain their competitiveness in the new regulatory environment.