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(EU) 2023/1542

Phasing in

Batteries Regulation

A full life-cycle regime for all batteries sold in the EU — sustainability, safety, labelling, CE marking, due diligence and end-of-life duties — replacing the old Batteries Directive. It has applied since 18 February 2024, with major requirements phasing in through 2027 and beyond.

Read the official text

Applies to

All batteries placed on the EU market, whether sold alone or incorporated in products: portable batteries, light means of transport (LMT) batteries (e-bikes, e-scooters), starting/lighting/ignition (SLI) batteries, industrial batteries and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Key obligations

  1. 01From 18 August 2024, batteries must undergo conformity assessment and carry CE marking against the regulation's sustainability, performance and safety requirements.source
  2. 02Label batteries with required information — including capacity, hazardous substances and the separate-collection symbol; the general battery label applies from 18 August 2026 (or 18 months after the relevant implementing act, whichever is later).source
  3. 03From 18 February 2027 (Article 11), portable batteries incorporated in products must be readily removable and replaceable by the end-user using commercially available tools; LMT batteries must be removable and replaceable by an independent professional. Limited derogations exist (e.g. wet-environment appliances, certain medical devices).source
  4. 04From 18 February 2027, LMT, EV and industrial batteries (above 2 kWh) need a digital battery passport accessible via a QR code.source
  5. 05From 18 August 2025, operate battery due diligence policies covering responsible sourcing of raw materials in the supply chain.source
  6. 06Register as a battery producer with the competent authority in each Member State of sale and finance collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries (extended producer responsibility); carbon-footprint declarations phase in per category (EV batteries first) as the Commission's delegated acts land.source

Conformity routes

  • Conformity assessment per Annex VIII (internal production control or notified body routes)The route depends on the battery category and which requirements apply — simple internal production control for most requirements, with notified-body involvement for others. Verify the applicable Annex VIII module for your battery type.source

Documentation

  • EU Declaration of Conformity + technical documentationRequired for the CE marking of the battery itself (applies since 18 August 2024).source
  • Performance and durability informationFrom 18 August 2024, rechargeable industrial batteries >2 kWh, LMT and EV batteries must be accompanied by a document stating electrochemical performance and durability parameters.source
  • Battery passport (from 18 February 2027)Digital record for LMT, EV and >2 kWh industrial batteries, linked via QR code.source

Marking requirements

  • CE marking on the battery (since 18 August 2024) plus the required labels: general information label, separate collection (crossed-out wheeled bin) symbol, hazardous-substance markings and QR code as the staged dates arrive.source

Key dates

  • 2024-02-18Regulation applies (general application date), replacing the Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC in stages.source
  • 2024-08-18Conformity assessment and CE marking requirements apply to batteries.source
  • 2025-08-18Battery due diligence obligations apply; the waste-management chapter of the regulation also applies from 18 August 2025.source
  • 2026-08-18General battery labelling requirements apply (or 18 months after the implementing act on labelling, whichever is later).source
  • 2027-02-18Removability/replaceability of portable and LMT batteries (Article 11) and the battery passport with QR code apply.source

Penalties

Member States set penalties for infringements; they must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Amounts vary by country.sourceUnverified — check source

Further guidance

Applies to these product types

Frequently asked

My product just contains a standard rechargeable battery — what do I need to do?+

The battery itself must comply (CE marking, labelling) — usually your cell/pack supplier's job, but you must verify it. As the product maker you carry the design duty: from 18 February 2027 portable batteries in products must be readily removable and replaceable by the end-user, with limited derogations. You may also have producer (EPR) registration duties for batteries in each country of sale.

Do batteries really need their own CE marking?+

Yes. Since 18 August 2024 batteries placed on the EU market must undergo conformity assessment and bear the CE marking under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 — separate from any CE marking on the product containing them.

What is the battery passport and does it affect small devices?+

From 18 February 2027, LMT batteries (e-bikes/scooters), EV batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh need a digital battery passport accessible via QR code. Ordinary portable batteries in consumer gadgets are not in the passport requirement, though they do get labelling and QR-code duties of their own.

When must devices have user-replaceable batteries?+

From 18 February 2027. Portable batteries incorporated in products must be removable and replaceable by the end-user with commercially available tools, without damaging the product or battery. Exceptions exist for products designed for wet environments and certain medical devices, where an independent professional may do the replacement instead.

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