In December 2020, the European Commission proposed to modernise the EU legislation on batteries, taking its first step among the actions announced in the New Circular Economy Action Plan, towards the establishment of a more coherent battery legislative framework, further developing the circular economy within the EU and addressing the ultimate goal of carbon-neutrality.
As a sector affected by the measure, APPLiA welcomed the revision as expressed in a reaction paper that was shared to assist the EU Commission in better shaping the proposed regulation.
Improving the sustainability of batteries throughout their life cycle while preserving the competitiveness of the EU Single Market is key to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal and the zero pollution ambition set in it. Nevertheless, the proposed changes are set to have far reaching impacts on the design, labelling and end-of-life management of batteries and battery-powered appliances. “As a sector, we are fully committed to supporting the EU’s transition towards sustainable batteries,” commented Paolo Falcioni, APPLiA Director General. Building on this, “it is of paramount importance to ensure duly time is granted to adapt complex global supply chains and production processes to the new rules,” continued Mr Falcioni.
In a climate of uncertainty with respect to the final text of the legislation, time is essential to allow for a smooth and effective shift at the EU level. To this extent, APPLiA called in a joint industry statement, for policymakers to provide economic operators with a transitional period to implement the new requirements as a key way to best comply with the new measures.
As an essential component for many sectors in our economy, the sustainability of batteries needs to be fostered at each stage of their lifecycle. This is only possible if joint action is undertaken at all levels to boost the circular economy of the battery value chains and ultimately favour a successful transition.