We only have one planet – so it is crucial that we protect it and work even harder to ensure we can keep living here, both for today and for tomorrow.
The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, was the historic moment when the international community undertook to work together to master the challenges of climate change. In the “European Green Deal”, the EU Commission set out its strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The objective is to keep global warming to less than 2°C, and ideally 1.5°C, and to make the EU more energy-independent.
As part of its work towards carbon neutrality, the European Union’s Green Deal regulates the environmental impacts of industrial activities, and calls for energy efficiency and a circular economy. This includes replacing the Battery Directive of 2006 with the new Battery Regulation, which came into force on 17 August 2023.
“I support the new Battery Regulation, as it represents the first holistic approach to a circular economy for electrochemical energy storage systems. By adopting a technology-agnostic approach, it fosters the sustainability of electrochemical storage systems and treats all technologies equally. The EU Battery Regulation constitutes an important component of the ‘European Green Deal’. It aims to ensure that batteries, as key components of sustainable energy storage, contribute to carbon neutrality and environmental protection throughout their life cycle.”
Dr Bernhard Riegel
Global Head of Research and Development
Energy storage systems play a key role in the transition to carbon neutrality by making renewable energy usable even at times when it is not being generated, and by stabilising electricity networks. The Battery Regulation aims to ensure that energy storage units manufactured and sold in the EU are sourced and produced sustainably.
What does this mean for you as a user of energy storage systems? What changes will there be? What will stay the same? And what does it mean for us as a battery manufacturer? We provide answers to all these questions here. We have also asked some HOPPECKE experts to give us their views on the new Battery Regulation.
Expanded scope of application
The new Battery Regulation has a considerably expanded scope of application when compared to the old Battery Directive. It now applies not only to takeback and recycling of batteries in the EU, but also to blocks, used batteries and refurbished batteries, regardless of their country of origin or manufacture. The rules apply both to batteries that are installed in devices and to those that are operated separately. These uniform conditions are intended to strengthen competitiveness in Europe for all parties involved.
“The battery industry is a central cog in the implementation of the ‘European Green Deal’. That carries with it a certain responsibility, which the Battery Regulation makes clear. In my view, this gives HOPPECKE an opportunity to show that we are conscious of that responsibility and are fulfilling it in every detail, thereby contributing to the global transformation.”
Maria Schwarzer
Environment management
CE marking: for greater safety in the EU
From 18 August 2024, the sale of batteries within the EU will require a CE “conformity assessment” and marking in accordance with the new Battery Regulation. Batteries will not be able to be placed on the market without this certification. CE marking/certification ensures that batteries meet strict safety standards that protect both people and the environment. HOPPECKE blocks and batteries already comply with many of the provisions of the Battery Regulation. Therefore, the company does not currently foresee anything that would prevent it reaching the milestone of declaring CE conformity for all our batteries, despite the additional work involved in labelling and adapting our manufacturing processes.
"The new EU Battery Regulation establishes uniform standards for sustainability and environmental friendliness in all member states, regardless of the country of manufacture. That means our customers have clear guidelines for the responsible handling of batteries."
Tim Kappe
Director of Sales DACH Business Unit Motive Power
Battery passport: for greater transparency
To improve transparency throughout the supply and value chain, all batteries are being given a battery passport. It provides essential information, such as the battery type, the battery’s chemical system, its lifetime, its capacity and the materials used in it. Starting from 18 February 2027, a QR code will be required which will give users access to that information.
Low carbon footprint: for sustainable production
The extensive use of batteries, particularly in the sectors of transport and energy storage, will lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions. However, to achieve this, it is important for batteries to have a low carbon footprint throughout their entire life cycle. This is the only way to ensure a safe and sustainable value chain. With the Battery Regulation, the European Commission is taking action to compel companies to measure the carbon footprint of their battery production. How this footprint is to be calculated in future has not yet been defined, so numerous standards and delegated acts are currently being developed to clarify these requirements. HOPPECKE is an active member of committees (through EUROBAT and ZVEI, for example) that are helping to shape the accompanying legislation and harmonised standards that will define the details of the Battery Regulation.
“At HOPPECKE, we have been working intensively on the Battery Regulation and are actively shaping its details through our participation in various committees. I am therefore convinced that we are ideally prepared for the upcoming challenges posed by the Battery Regulation.”
Bastian Hassdenteufel
Product Management
Circular economy for the conservation of resource
Efforts to promote a circular economy are aimed at conserving resources and boosting the raw material independence of EU countries. From 18 August 2028, manufacturers of batteries containing cobalt, lead, nickel or lithium will have to report the amount of recovered materials used. Starting from 2031, minimum percentages of recovered substances will be mandatory – 85% for lead, 16% for cobalt and 6% each for lithium and nickel.
In a further step, these minimum quotas will be significantly increased for cobalt, lithium and nickel in 2036.Additionally, the new European regulation provides for an increase in the current collection rate of 45% for used batteries to 73% by 2030. HOPPECKE is already in a very good position in this regard. The company has been recycling used batteries for 64 years with a recycling efficiency of 85%, with 80% of the recycled lead going back into the production process. 80% of the lead in HOPPECKE batteries already comes from recycled sources now.
"The European Community has sent a clear signal with the new Battery Regulation: battery technology is indispensable for achieving climate neutrality. By implementing the regulation, we will become pioneers in the Green Deal on the road to sustainability. I therefore see positive effects on the future development of our industry and sales markets."
Dr Andreas Husmann
Director Product Management
To sum up
The new Battery Regulation poses a number of challenges for manufacturers of batteries, but at the same time it represents an important step towards the sustainable production and use of batteries. It strengthens both environmental standards and safety standards. At HOPPECKE, we believe we are well prepared to meet the requirements of the new Battery Regulation. Not least because a sense of responsibility has been part of our DNA from the very beginning.
