Batteries: Environmental legislation
This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of environmental legislation relating to batteries. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.
If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.
Environmental management systems and environmental reports
Northern Ireland
Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations SI 2008/2164 Sets out requirements for the placing of new batteries and accumulators on the European Union market including substance restrictions, labelling of new batteries and design of appliances so that waste batteries can be readily removed.
Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations SI 2009/890 Establishes a framework for the separate collection, treatment and recycling of waste industrial, automotive and portable batteries. Applies to all types of batteries, subject to exemption.
Waste Batteries and Accumulators (Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2009/157 Set charges to be paid to the Department of the Environment by small producers, battery compliance schemes, battery treatment operators and battery exporters under the Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009.
Waste Batteries and Accumulators (Treatment and Disposal) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2009/159 Sets out exemptions from waste management licensing for storing waste batteries. Amends the Landfill Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and the Pollution Prevention and Control (Regulations) (Northern Ireland) 2003 to ban automotive and industrial batteries from landfill or incineration.
Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) (Amendment) Regulations SI 2012/1139 Amend 2008/2164 by inserting a new regulation to give effect to the requirement for capacity labelling and the enforcement of this.
The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) (Amendment) Regulations 2015
Amends the 2008 regulations by removing the exemption for button cells containing up to 2% Mercury, by removing the exemption for power tool batteries containing cadmium, and makes changes to the wording surrounding the removal of batteries from equipment.
The Waste Batteries and Accumulators (Amendment) Regulations 2015
Make amendments to the 2009 regulations; the removal of the requirement to provide operational plans, removal of the requirement to submit independent audit reports, and allows an “approved person” to delegate the responsibility for signing off reports.
The Waste (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019
These regulations make amendments to existing legislation by removing references to European Directives and EU terms to ensure that waste legislation continues to operate after EU exit.
Scotland
Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations SI 2008/2164 Sets out requirements for the placing of new batteries and accumulators on the European Union market including substance restrictions, labelling of new batteries and design of appliances so that waste batteries can be readily removed.
Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations SI 2009/890 Establishes a framework for the separate collection, treatment and recycling of waste industrial, automotive and portable batteries. Applies to all types of batteries, subject to exemption.
Waste Batteries (Scotland) Regulations SSI 2009/247 Establishes a legal framework and schemes for collecting, treating and recycling portable, industrial and vehicle batteries. Applies to all types of batteries except when used for military and space equipment.
Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) (Amendment) Regulations SI 2012/1139 Amend 2008/2164 by inserting a new regulation to give effect to the requirement for capacity labelling and the enforcement of this.
The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) (Amendment) Regulations 2015
Amends the 2008 regulations by removing the exemption for button cells containing up to 2% Mercury, by removing the exemption for power tool batteries containing cadmium, and makes changes to the wording surrounding the removal of batteries from equipment.
The Waste Batteries and Accumulators (Amendment) Regulations 2015
Make minor amendments to the 2009 regulations; the removal of the requirement to provide operational plans, removal of the requirement to submit independent audit reports, and allows an “approved person” to delegate the responsibility for signing off reports.
The Waste (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019
These regulations make amendments to existing legislation by removing references to European Directives and EU terms to ensure that waste legislation continues to operate after EU exit.