Modernising EU Batteries Directive - The legislative measures to a new Batteries Regulation

1. Level Playing Field: In line with the amibitions of the European Battery Alliance, the legislation should support a prosperous European battery industry that will substantially contribute to the achievement of the emission reduction targets while being capable of competing against strong, existing markets outside of the EU on a fair basis. Measures must, hence, apply to EU as well as imported batteries, and be meaningful and effective.
2. Lean Legislation: Industry, long-term investments and cutting-edge innovations depend on a legislative framework that is capable of providing predictability and flexibility likewise. The coherence between the different legislative instruments regulating batteries and their components should be taken into account when modernizing the batteries legislation. Overlaps, as well as over-regulation, must be avoided. Measures should be balanced and based on a sound, scientific argumentation.
3. Value Chain Approach: For battery-enabled decarbonization and innovations to succeed, it is essential to ensure that the battery industry in and outside of Europe is socially and  environmentally sustainable throughout its entire value chain. All steps, from materials extraction to manufacturing and recycling should ensure human, social, and labor rights and contribute to the CO2 reduction objectives. A sustainable and internationally competitive industry cannot be provided otherwise.

RECHARGE becomes partner of the European Raw Materials Alliance

Joint Industry Paper Integrated Batteries in the Revision of the EU Battery Directive

• Applications of integrated batteries Integrating batteries has long been a design strategy to leverage innovations and functionalities that would otherwise not be available. We define “integrated batteries” as embedded in the device by design, not removable without tools. Rechargeable batteries are integrated across a great many product categories, some of them are shown as an example in Figure 1. When rechargeable batteries are not integrated, there is a functional reason. E-bikes, power tools or accessories for electronic products all allow for battery exchange in the middle of a work flow. When batteries are integrated, there are good reasons for that, too: across our sectors, we see smartphones, notebooks, smartwatches, gardening tools, toothbrushes, shavers, toys and other products integrate batteries to increase water resistance or dust protection, and hence not only improve product performance but also battery lifetime. Cars, e-mobility applications and electronic products integrate batteries for safety and reliability reasons to reduce vibration and exposure to external shocks. Cars also benefit from reduced weight and reduced CO2 emissions linked to this design strategy. Across most of our sectors, products with integrated batteries can benefit from thinner or smaller form factors, or extra space that becomes available for other components, driving both cost and material efficiency. In some cases, such as medical devices, applications are used in extreme environments where integrated packaging of battery and device are the only way to ensure protection from moisture ingress over long periods of time (e.g. 10 years). An important reason for integration in the case of lithium-based rechargeable batteries is consumer safety. The integration of a battery ensures voltage, current and temperature limits. Integrated batteries are the norm for many applications with rechargeable batteries. Requiring a different design by regulation would impact environmental performance, customer expectations, lifetime, functionality, cost and material efficiency while forcing device manufacturers across many product groups into re-design.
• Innovation outlook and integrated batteries In addition, there are exciting battery innovations on the horizon. We caution against changes to Art. 11 of the Batteries Directive or other eco-design measures, which could hamper the deployment of those innovations. Bendable, flexible batteries are predicted to come to mass production in the next 2-4 years, and thin film (solid state) batteries are forecasted to see a market growth by 2025 to $400-600 million. These batteries are intended to be used in smart cards, wearables, flexible displays, medical and cosmetically transdermal patches, IoT, sensors, smart packaging, pacemakers, hearing aids, capsule endoscopes, military and e-textile applications, as well as automotive and large ESS, just to mention some. Battery innovations like these can be environmentally benign (biocompatible), can have high temperature stability, low self-discharge and high power density. The most exciting battery innovations on the horizon will allow for further miniaturization of devices and applications, and incorporation of smaller batteries, thus, positively impacting the raw material use for these products and user-friendliness. Any regulation and removability requirements need to be future-proof and should provide for appropriate exemptions.
• Removability and repair The EU is currently considering options to introduce a European Right to Repair. We would like to point out that recent revisions of landmark legislations have already strengthened the right of consumers to have easy access to repair. The new Waste Framework Directive (2018/851) imposes access to spare parts and repair instructions under certain boundary conditions (safety, quality, IPR) in its Art 9(1). The new Sales of Goods Directive (2019/771) continues to include the right to have a faulty product repaired or replaced free of charge, or to obtain a refund or a price and strengthen consumer rights in this regard with durability as a conformity requirement. Already today, every product with integrated batteries on the market has a repair service during the legally mandated warranty period. In future policy discussions, we believe that the European Right to Repair should mean making sure that the consumer has access to a high quality, safe and secure repair option in all cases (in- and out-of-warranty). Consumers have a rightful expectation of a repair remedy of quality, safety and security. However, this does not mean that repairs can be carried out safely and successfully by consumers themselves, nor that they should in all cases have the right or ability to do so themselves. Especially for high-complexity devices (ranging from electronics to cars), trained and qualified personnel can guarantee the highest level of safety, whereas consumer-led repairs could impact the integrity of the repaired device, and such unintended outcomes should be reflected in any future regulation. Battery safety is obtained by a combination of mechanical, electrical and electronic protections and part of it is achieved by the integration of the battery itself. The liability for product safety in case for repair or replacement can generally be best ensured by a qualified professional. There is strong justification for focusing right to repair on the availability of repair options that ensure consumers have access to high quality, safe and secure repairs, instead of only on a consumer-led repair. One such example are established manufacturer-associated repair networks, which provide consumers with convenient access to such repair options. Such authorised service providers or affiliated networks are optimised for efficiency, and therefore minimise environmental impacts beyond what would be possible via consumer-led repair models. Conservative estimates put the number of repair and after-sales jobs associated with manufacturer after-sales/repair providers at over 240,000 globally, providing high-quality service in a circular economy. They also ensure proper end-of-life recycling options. Any policy, whether focused on battery replaceability by design, consumer policy or repair operators should consider the impact on the existing vast repair network of professionals. Download the full position paper 

RECHARGE calls for increased renewable energy targets (RED II) to further reduce GHG emissions in transport, electricity and building sectors

1. Thanks to optimization efforts in manufacturing, economies of scale, advancements in materials efficiency and an uptake of electrified mobility, the cost for battery storage has substantially decreased in the last decade, leading to cost parity for PV + storage with traditional energy sources. Further cost reductions are to come from material and battery design innovation and new (or emerging) battery chemistries.
2. Thanks to batteries’ balancing services to the grid and their suitability for micro/decentralized grids, investments in the transmission and distribution system are expected to be lower.

• Electrification of transport, heating & cooling: A cost-effective and flexible electricity system is indeed important, especially to further encourage renewable energy use also in other areas than electricity generation. RECHARGE supports increased electrification of passenger and cargo transport based on a high share of renewable energy for the battery manufacturing and charging phase, to (a) reduce GHG emissions in the transport sector and (b) unlock the potential of the interconnection abilities of renewables + storage for other sectors such as buildings and industry. We believe that planned measures in the renewable energy (and other energy-related) legislation should further encourage innovative models such as sector coupling and vehicle-to-grid.
• Economic value: We agree with the Commission’s assessment that increased renewable energy targets will also have a positive impact on economic growth and investments by creating quality jobs and reducing dependence on non-European energy sources. The battery storage industry alone is expected to generate €210 billion new GDP and create some 1 million jobs by 2022.
• Incentivizing prosumers with storage systems: We welcome that in the current Renewable Energy Directive, especially article 21 § 2(b) , attention had been given to taxation and charging questions related to self-consumption in renewable energy installations with storage systems. Based on Directive (EU) 2019/944, article 15 § 5, RECHARGE encourages extended provisions for both self-consumption and prosumers with the aim of further incentivizing utility-scale and behind-the-meter storage solutions. Also, clarification is required regarding priority access for renewable energy that is fed into the grid, coming from either primary production or stored renewable energy (see Directive (EU) 2019/944, article 15 § 5(d).
• Clarification of guarantees of origin for energy from renewable sources: In relation to our work for the PEFCR (Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules) for rechargeable batteries, RECHARGE calls for additional clarification regarding guarantees of origin for energy from renewable sources (article 19) and the offsetting mechanisms applied. Guarantees of Origin must be a fair mechanism to reward companies using green energy while further incentivizing Member States to develop their renewables-based electricity infrastructure.

ICBR Honorary Award 2020 goes to former RECHARGE General Manager Jean-Pol Wiaux

BATTERY 2030+ allocates 40.5M Euro for most visionary battery research program

1. Development of a European infrastructure platform to combine large-scale calculations and experimental studies to map the complex reactions that take place in a battery.
2. Development and integration of sensors that examine and report on the battery’s health in real time.
3. Development of self-healing components that extend battery life and improve safety.

Launch of BatteriesTransport.org for the safe transport of batteries

Free battery transport information now available on cross-industry platform BatteriesTransport.org

• RECHARGE is the European industry association for advanced rechargeable and lithium batteries. Founded in 1998, it is our mission to promote advanced rechargeable batteries as a key technology that will contribute to a more empowered, sustainable and circular economy by enabling decarbonized electricity and mobility. RECHARGE’s unique membership covers all aspects of the advanced rechargeable battery value chain in Europe: From suppliers of primary and secondary raw materials, to battery, equipment and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), to logistic partners and battery recyclers. www.rechargebatteries.org.
• EPBA advocates for the portable power solutions of its members and works with regulators, NGOs and other stakeholders to create an environment of harmonized and fair legislation so customers may enjoy efficient and safe portable batteries to be conveniently used and recycled. For more information, visit our website: www.epbaeurope.net
• EUROBAT is the association for the European manufacturers of automotive, industrial and energy storage batteries. EUROBAT has more than 50 members from across the continent comprising more than 90% of the automotive and industrial battery industry in Europe. The members and staff work with all stakeholders, such as battery users, governmental organizations and media, to develop new battery solutions in areas of hybrid and electro-mobility as well as grid flexibility and renewable energy storage. www.eurobat.org
• PRBA is a non-profit trade association based in Washington, DC, USA whose members manufacture approximately 65% of the lithium ion battery cells produced in the world today.  They also include leading manufacturers of lithium metal cells and batteries, power tools, outdoor power equipment, medical devices, portable electronic equipment, and defense products, battery assemblers, battery recyclers, retailers, and airlines. PRBA members are developing and manufacturing vehicles and lithium ion batteries that will bring to market a new generation of hybrid and electric vehicles and grid energy storage projects. PRBA has participated in meetings of the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, International Maritime Organization Carriage of Cargoes and Containers Sub-Committee, and ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel Working Group since 2005. www.prba.org
• EBRA is a European professional organization defending the interests of companies involved with sorting and recycling of all kinds of batteries (portable, consumer, industrial), all chemistries apart from lead-acid, but including Li-Ion batteries for e-mobility and stationary electricity storage. www.ebra-recycling.org
• ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers. BMW Group, CNH Industrial, DAF Trucks, Daimler, Ferrari, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Group, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group. ACEA works with a variety of institutional, non-governmental, research and civil society partners - as well as with a number of industry associations with related interests. The Association has permanent cooperation with the European Council for Automotive R&D (EUCAR), which is the industry body for collaborative research and development, and close relations with the 29 national automobile manufacturers' associations in Europe and globally. www.acea.be
• Established in 2017, LEVA-EU is the only trade association in Europe to work exclusively for Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs). The term LEV covers all electric vehicles in the L-category, as well as those excluded from the L-category. LEVA-EU represents the strategic interests of light electric vehicle dealers, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers to promote the development, sale, and use of LEVs in the EU. The association assists its members with expert knowledge on rules and regulations governing LEVs. LEVA-EU also works for better rules through CEN, ISO, IEC and the Commission’s Motorcycle Working Group. The association aims at raising awareness and promoting the European LEV-sector vis-à-vis the European Institutions. LEVA-EU has around 50 members in the EU as well as in Norway, Switzerland, China, Korea, Taiwan and Turkey. www.leva-eu.com
• The mission of the Medical Device Battery Transport Council (MDBTC) is to advocate for responsible regulations for the transportation of medical devices and the lithium cells and batteries that power them. Due to the timely nature in which medical devices are needed, this council is focused on ensuring that lithium cells and batteries can be transported safely by passenger and cargo aircraft. By working directly with regulators and other stakeholders, the MDBTC hopes to build a consensus that leads toward the development of regulations that enhance transportation safety without disrupting critical medical device supply chains. mdbtc.org

RECHARGE's comments to EU proposal on substantiating green claims

Future Battery Forum 2020 - December 10-11, Berlin - Germany

Prepare for an eventful autumn with these battery conferences and shows

RECHARGE to host the 5th UN IWG on LIB Classification from Dec 7-9

Modernizing EU Battery Legislation: The way to more sustainable batteries, responsible batteries, competitive batteries

Register for our virtual roundtable discussion on the environmental performance of batteries - May 26 at 11 a.m.

Register for our virtual roundtable discussion on collection & recycling of batteries - May 14 at 11 a.m.

• Patrick de Metz from SAFT
• Wolfgang Weydanz from Bosch
• Jan Tytgat from Umicore
• Alain Vassart from EBRA
• Claude Chanson from RECHARGE

Stakeholder consultation on the revision of the Battery Directive has started this week

RECHARGE announces the appointment of new members to its Board

• Sophie Tricaud from battery pack manufacturer Forsee Power and Jean-Luc Girault from battery cell manufacturer BlueSolutions, who replaces Patrice Le Reun from ARTS Energy, were elected as new Board Directors.
• Jan Tytgat from battery materials manufacturer Umicore was re-elected as Board Director.

• Patrick de Metz - Chairman, SAFT
• Eric Nottez - Vice-Chairman, SNAM
• Sebastian Röhler - Director, VARTA Microbattery
• Sophie Tricaud – Director, Forsee Power
• Jean-Luc Girault – Director, BlueSolutions
• Jan Tytgat - Director, Umicore
• Lars Truckenmüller - Director, Robert Bosch
• Ronny Denis - Director, Toyota Motor Europe

European green-tech sectors call for continued climate leadership ambitions

The Battery Show Europe: October 14-16, 2020 in Stuttgart, Germany

• Conference at a glance
• Exhibitors
• Registration 

20th International Automobile Recycling Congress IARC 2020

Council calls for a clarification of the REACH-OSH Interface

• The CII considers the clarification of the REACH-OSH interface essential to the goal of protecting workers while maintaining the competitiveness of the EU’s industries. The CII, therefore, supports the Council’s conclusions and recommends the following: developing Guidance on Risk Management Option Analyses (RMOAs) that would provide criteria for selecting the most appropriate risk management option and that would, in particular, clarify in which cases OELs are preferred to other risk management options.
• developing the long-planned Common Understanding Paper on REACH and OSH. This paper should be developed under the responsibility not only of DG Environment and DG Growth (for REACH) but also of DG Employment (for OSH). It should take into account input from Member States and stakeholders.

Joint industry event: Supporting a sustainable and competitive battery value chain

New RECHARGE Logo

Batteries fit for Europe: RECHARGE calls for social and environmental key indicators

1. Carbon footprint content as a pivotal environmental and qualitative indicator
2. Mandatory requirements for human, social and labour rights along the value chain
3. Traceability of materials throughout the lifecycle of a battery
4. Recycling of high-impact materials for improved resource efficiency
5. Facilitation of repair and refurbishment to extend the lifetime of batteries

European industries unite to call for an ambitious EU industrial strategy

Awarness campaign on the safe use of button batteries

Public Consultation on Sustainability Requirements for Batteries

Technical Guidance for the application of the ICAO 30% state of charge of Li batteries