What is the EU Battery Regulation?

Dutch term: Batterijenverordening | Legal basis: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542

The EU Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) is a comprehensive EU regulation covering the sustainability, safety, labelling and end-of-life management of all batteries placed on the EU market, from portable batteries to electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries. It replaces the earlier Battery Directive and introduces significantly expanded obligations.

Key requirements include mandatory carbon footprint declarations, recycled content thresholds, performance and durability standards, due diligence obligations for battery raw materials (cobalt, lithium, nickel, natural graphite), and a digital battery passport for EV and industrial batteries. The regulation also imposes collection, recycling and EPR obligations on producers. Implementation is phased, with different requirements taking effect between 2024 and 2031.

Why it matters for international businesses

For battery manufacturers, importers and companies incorporating batteries into their products (electronics, vehicles, energy storage), the Battery Regulation is one of the most complex and far-reaching new EU product compliance obligations.