TÜV SÜD warns of battery regulation deadline

Battery suppliers in Europe have just six months before regulations come into force that could lead to products being removed from the market, hitting the supply chain of all types of electronic devices.

From 18 August 2025, the EU Batteries Regulation (2023/1542) will be necessary for CE marking, replacing the previous Batteries Directive. After this date, sustainability, labelling, and safety requirements for all batteries and battery-operated products must be complied with.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors whose batteries do not comply will have products removed from the market by enforcement authorities and face financial penalties. UK-based operators who place or put into service such products within the EU must also comply. This will impact equipment suppliers delivering into the EU from the UK, China and the US. 

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“Companies throughout the supply chain have no time to waste if they want to continue selling their products on the EU market after 18 August,” said Grant Gibbs, Senior Manager for Energy Storage at European compliance test house TÜV SÜD. “The EU Batteries Regulation introduces significant changes to enhance the sustainability and safety of batteries and battery-operated products. The regulation seeks to promote transparency and responsibility throughout the battery supply chain.”

The EU Batteries Regulation has been in development since 2020 covers the entire battery life cycle for the first time, including raw materials procurement, battery production, and battery reuse and recycling. It also introduces new categories of batteries according to their use and design.

These include electric vehicle (EV) batteries over 25kg, LMT packs for e-bikes and SLI batteries for auxiliary or backup power. The industrial battery over 5kg coves communication infrastructure and home energy storage as well as off road machinery, while there is a separate category for large energy storage systems. A portable battery category covers encapsulated devices that are under 5kg and not designed for specific industrial uses with cadmium and mercury.