Joint Industry call for a realistic timeline to implement the new Batteries Regulation

FEM co-signed an industry statement, together with 9 other associations, calling on the European Commission and the co-legislators to ensure a transition period for the implementation of the Batteries Regulation.

We support the European Commission’s objective to improve the sustainability of batteries, while protecting the competitiveness of the Single Market. We are fully committed to supporting the EU’s transition towards sustainable batteries.

While interinstitutional negotiations are yet to begin, it is already clear that the new Batteries Regulation will have far-reaching impacts on the design, labelling and end-of-life handling of batteries and battery-powered appliances. Given the extent of the changes and the significant uncertainty over the final text of the Regulation, we call on the co-legislators to provide economic operators with the necessary time to duly implement due requirements. This is particularly pertinent for all those market access, CE-mark relevant provisions with design or labelling impacts that currently are foreseen to apply as of entry into force (e.g. Art. 11, 20).

We recommend to:
• Introduce a transition period to ensure individual provisions are applicable no earlier than 24 months after the adoption of the corresponding Guidance, delegated or implementing act; and
• Introduce a 24 month transition period (Art. 79 or 78 of the proposal) between the entry into force of the Regulation and its application, by replacing the current date of application that is set for 1 January 2022.

We remain strongly committed to working together with the European Commission and the co-legislators to ensure that the review of batteries legislation becomes a success.

Click HERE for the full statement.