ECHA will support the European Commission in identifying substances of concern used in batteries or their manufacturing processes. It will also prepare proposals to limit the substances in batteries. The purpose is to make batteries in the European Economic Area market more sustainable throughout their entire lifecycle.

Helsinki, August 17, 2023- With the modernization of the EU battery regulatory framework, ECHA has received a new task to support the European Commission. The agency will assist the committee in preparing a report investigating substances of concern found in batteries or used in battery manufacturing processes, which have negative impacts on human health, the environment, or safety, as well as the recycling of high-quality raw materials.

The report is expected to be released on December 31, 2027, and will identify these substances and consider subsequent measures, such as possible alliance wide restrictions. ECHA is expected to begin writing this report in 2024.


In addition, the committee may require ECHA to prepare proposals for limiting harmful substances in batteries and waste batteries. The institution will also provide advice on the effectiveness of the restriction proposal in managing risks and its impact on society through its Risk Assessment and Socio Economic Analysis Committee.


background

The European Parliament and the Council issued Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on July 12, 2023, amending Directive 2008/98/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020. They also repealed Directive 2006/66/EC, which came into effect on August 17, 2023.