About the batteries regulation

Restrictions of heavy metals in batteries

The restrictions are found in Article 6 and Annex I to the Battery Regulation. It is important to bear in mind that there may be other requirements that batteries are subject to in other regulations. Those requirements apply in parallel with the rules in the battery regulation.

Batteries may not contain the substances listed in Annex I if the conditions for the restrictions listed there are not met.

The new rules mean that the exemptions for the supply of portable cadmium batteries in certain areas of use will expire on 18 February 2024. The mercury and cadmium content limits therefore apply to all batteries, regardless of whether they are integrated into appliances, light vehicles or other vehicles, or not.

As of 18 August 2024, the content of lead in batteries are restricted, except for portable zinc-air button cell batteries where the restriction applies on 18 August 2028.

The rules in the battery regulation do not apply to batteries that are used in equipment for military purposes or that are intended to be sent into space.

You will find the latest consolidated version of the battery regulation from 12 July 2023 below. Consolidation means that the original legal act and all subsequent amendments and corrections have been brought together in a single document.