The main content of the new directive:
2. Label requirements for new batteries to help consumers purchase and recycle;
4. Recovery target of discarded portable batteries;
6. Increase “ Producer responsibility ” The provisions of;
Restrictions on harmful substances:
2. It is prohibited to produce and sell portable batteries or accumulators with cadmium content exceeding 0.002% of the total amount (exempted products: cordless power tools, medical equipment, emergency lighting equipment, emergency and alarm systems).
All batteries, accumulators and button batteries should bear a crossed wheelie bin sign. If the mercury content of the product exceeds 0.0005%, or the cadmium content exceeds 0.002%, or the lead content exceeds 0.004%, a chemical symbol for the metal exceeding the limit shall be attached to the crossed wheelie bin logo, and the chemical symbol shall occupy at least one quarter of the area of the crossed wheelie bin logo. If the battery or storage battery contains more than one of these metals, this requires the corresponding chemical symbol. For example,
A battery containing more than 0.004% lead (Pb) and more than 0.0005% mercury (Hg) should be attached with both Pb and Hg symbols.
1. The labelling limits for mercury and cadmium are the same as the regulatory limits. Therefore, the Hg symbol is in fact only applicable to button batteries, and the Cd symbol is only applicable to exempted batteries and accumulators, while the production and sale of other types of batteries and accumulators with mercury and/or cadmium content exceeding the limits are prohibited.
3. According to the new cadmium limits, nickel-cadmium batteries can no longer be used (except for exempted products), so only nickel-metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries or lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries can be replaced.