/BRUSSELS, August 17, 2026, 9:00 CEST, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH™/ Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 aims to ensure that, in the future, batteries have a low carbon footprint, use minimal harmful substances, need fewer raw materials from non-European Union (EU) countries and are collected, reused and recycled to a high degree within the EU.
The regulation is part of the EU’s shift towards a circular economy, an important aspect of the European Green Deal (see summary), and will increase the security of supply for raw materials and energy, as well as enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness. The regulation has applied since 18 February 2024, except for certain specified rules.
KEY POINTS AND SCOPE
The regulation applies to all batteries, including all:
- portable batteries;
- electric vehicle (EV) batteries;
- industrial batteries;
- starting, lighting and ignition batteries (used mostly for vehicles and machinery); and
- batteries for light means of transport (LMT) such as electric bikes, e-mopeds and e-scooters.
Targets
- It sets out rules covering the entire life cycle of batteries. These include:
- waste collection targets for producers of portable batteries – 63 % by the end of 2027 and 73 % by the end of 2030;
- waste collection objectives for LMT batteries – 51 % by the end of 2028 and 61 % by the end of 2031;
- targets for lithium recovery from waste batteries – 50 % by the end of 2027 and 80 % by the end of 2031 – which can be amended to take into account market and technological developments and the availability of lithium;
- targets for the recovery of cobalt, copper, lead and nickel – 90 % by the end of 2027 and 95 % by the end of 2031;
minimum levels of recycled content for industrial batteries, starting, lighting and ignition batteries and EV batteries – 16 % for cobalt, 85 % for lead, 6 % for lithium and 6 % for nickel from 18 August 2031; - recycling efficiency targets – 80 % for nickel-cadmium batteries, 75 % for lead-acid batteries, 65 % for lithium-based batteries and 50 % for other waste batteries, by the end of 2025 (additional higher targets are set from the end of 2030 for lead-acid batteries and lithium-based batteries);
- a requirement that portable batteries incorporated into appliances should be removable and replaceable by the end user by 2027;
- a requirement that LMT batteries will need to be replaceable by an independent professional.
Safety, sustainability and labelling
Companies must identify, prevent, and address social and environmental issues in their batteries. The regulation includes performance, durability, and safety criteria that cover restrictions on hazardous substances such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, as well as mandatory information on battery carbon footprints.
Information and labelling covering matters such as battery components and recycled content will be required in the form of a QR code and, for LMT, industrial and EV batteries, a ‘battery passport’. Labelling requirements will apply from 2026 and the QR code from 2027.
The regulation amends Directive 2008/98/EC on waste management and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance and compliance of products. It repeals Directive 2006/66/EC on the disposal of spent batteries.
For more information and answers to your questions about the battery storage market in Europe, and related content, you may read here: Europe Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Market Outlooks 2025 ÷ 2034
In order to download the executive summary brochure with sample pages, please access it here: Europe Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Market Outlook – Sample
For a better understanding of the benefits of using our reports, you may read here: Benefit List – Reports of Renewable Market Watch – 2026
About Renewable Market Watch™
Renewable Market Watch™ is delivering strategic insight into emerging renewable energy markets through its experienced research team and cutting-edge predictive analytics data platform. We partner with our customers to provide research, data and consulting reports in areas appropriate to their specific requirements. Our primary focus is emerging renewable energy markets in Asian countries, Western Europe, South Europe, Balkan countries, Central and Eastern Europe, CIS states (the former Soviet Union), LATAM countries, and MENA countries. For more information about Renewable Market Watch™, please visit:
