Since August 18, 2025, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for batteries has been significantly expanded in France to transpose the European regulation 2023/1542, moving from just portable batteries and accumulators to five major categories, including electric vehicle batteries. Producers, importers, distributors, and even reuse operators are now involved, with new rules on labeling, digital passports, repairability, and the use of recycled materials. We detail the stakeholders involved, the three approved eco-organizations, the collection obligations, and the European recycling targets that apply progressively until 2031.
The Stakeholders Involved and the Scope Extension
Professionals Required to Declare Their Batteries
Since August 18, 2025, the “portable batteries and accumulators” scheme has been renamed the “batteries” scheme and has seen a major extension of its scope. The European regulation 2023/1542 expands the extended producer responsibility to five distinct categories of batteries. Portable batteries include cells, button cells, and sealed accumulators weighing 5 kg or less. Light transport batteries (LTB) concern batteries for bicycles, scooters, and other light electric vehicles, sealed and weighing 25 kg or less.
Starter, lighting, and ignition (SLI) batteries equip traditional vehicles for their auxiliary electrical systems. Industrial batteries cover professional applications and fixed energy storage installations. Electric vehicle batteries constitute the fifth category with specific rules given their weight, value, and technological complexity.
Manufacturers who produce or have these batteries produced, importers who introduce them into French territory, and distributors who market them under their own brand fall within the scope. Reuse operators who put second-hand batteries back into circulation are also considered producers under the EPR since 2024. This extensive qualification aims to cover the entire value chain without leaving any responsible party outside the system.
The Annual Declaration and the Choice of Approved Eco-Organizations
Three eco-organizations have been approved until December 31, 2030 for battery management. Ecosystem has an approval covering all five categories of batteries defined by the regulation. Batribox (formerly Screlec) also has approval for all categories, relying on its historical expertise in the battery and accumulator sector. Recycle My Vehicle holds a limited approval for category 5 dedicated to electric vehicle batteries.
Additionally, an individual system has been approved for Renault SAS until December 31, 2027, allowing it to directly manage its electric vehicle batteries without going through an eco-organization. This option remains a minority for the battery EPR scheme given the necessary investments in collection and treatment infrastructure.
The obligation for contractual agreements between waste management operators and eco-organizations or individual systems came into effect on January 1, 2026. Managers can no longer process battery waste without having a formalized contract with the approved scheme, under penalty of administrative sanctions. This measure aims to secure the complete traceability of flows and to avoid the deviations observed in some parallel circuits.
The Requirements of the European Battery Regulation
Mandatory Labeling and Digital Passport
From May 2025, all batteries placed on the market must bear the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicating that they cannot be disposed of with mixed municipal waste. This visible marking informs the consumer of the obligation for separate collection. The CE marking becomes mandatory on all batteries from May 2026, certifying their compliance with European safety, health, and environmental protection requirements.
Batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh require a digital passport via QR code starting February 2027. This electronic document tracks the carbon footprint, performance, and health status throughout the lifecycle. Consumers will be able to consult real-time information on recharge power, total energy, wear, and maintenance recommendations via their smartphone. This transparency imposed within the battery EPR framework aims to facilitate diagnostics and second-life valorization.
Design Rules and Battery Separability
The European regulation gradually requires that portable batteries can be removed without specialized tools by February 2027. This requirement concerns phones, tablets, and other consumer electronics whose batteries are currently glued or soldered. Manufacturers must redesign their products to facilitate battery access and allow replacement with simple tools available in any household.
Batteries must also incorporate minimum proportions of recycled materials starting in 2030. Twelve percent cobalt, four percent lithium, and four percent nickel from waste recovery will be required in industrial and electric vehicle batteries. These thresholds will increase until 2036 to reach sixteen percent cobalt, ten percent lithium, and twelve percent nickel. Maximum carbon footprint thresholds will gradually apply from July 2027 to limit the climate impact of production.
The Organization of Collection and Recycling Targets
Territorial Coverage and Mandatory Take-Back by All Distributors
Distributors now bear a mandatory free take-back obligation for used batteries without a sales area threshold. This recent extension aims to densify the network of collection points across the entire territory and facilitate the sorting gesture for consumers. An individual can drop off their used batteries in any store selling batteries, whether a supermarket, pharmacy, or even a small local shop.
Collection containers dedicated to batteries must be placed in the immediate vicinity of those intended for used electrical and electronic equipment with clear signage indicating the appropriate sorting gesture. This organization aims to simplify the consumer’s journey and increase collection rates that remain insufficient for certain categories.
European Collection and Material Recovery Targets
The European regulation sets ambitious targets staggered until 2030. Portable batteries and those of light transport means must achieve sixty-three percent collection by 2027 and seventy-three percent by 2030. These progressive targets allow the schemes to gradually ramp up while investing in the necessary infrastructure.
In terms of material recovery, ninety percent of metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and lead must be recycled by 2027, and eighty percent of lithium by 2031. These requirements transform battery waste into strategic resources to reduce dependence on virgin raw materials. The European Union will apply a new classification of battery waste from November 9, 2026, to improve flow identification and optimize recycling processes according to the chemistries involved.
