Producer responsibility: Batteries Directive
Aims and requirements of the Directive
The Batteries Directive was published in the Official Journal on 26 September 2006. The UK and all other Member States now have a deadline of 26 September 2008 to transpose the provisions into national law.
The Directive seeks to improve the environmental performance of batteries and accumulators and of the activities of all economic operators involved in the life cycle of batteries and accumulators, eg producers, distributors and end users and, in particular, those operators directly involved in the treatment and recycling of waste batteries and accumulators.
When the Directive is transposed in the UK, the Directive will reduce the quantity of hazardous and non hazardous waste batteries going to landfill and increase the recovery of the materials they contain. This is consistent with the objectives outlined in the Government's Waste and Sustainable Development Strategies.
UK transposition and stakeholder consultation
Responsibility for leading the implementation of the Batteries Directive is being shared between Defra and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR, formerly DTI) namely:
Other domestic activity
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) are currently carrying out work to determine the most cost effective way of collecting batteries to meet the targets under the forthcoming Directive.
ERM was commissioned to carry out a cost-benefit assessment of different collection and recycling routes. The study used a life cycle assessment approach and will be used to assist in policy formulation during the implementation of the Directive.
Related links
Contacting Defra
If you would like further information not covered by these pages, you can contact us:
Anju Sharda
Producer Responsibility Unit
Waste Management Division
Defra
Area D floor 6
Ergon House
Horseferry Road
London, SW!P 2AL
Telephone: 020 7238 4341
Email: anju.sharda@defra.gsi.gov.uk
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Page last modified:
6 November 2007
Page published: 5 February 2003