The EU Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) is a regulation that applies across all EU countries, governing the placing on the market, collection, and recycling of batteries and accumulators. Each EU member state implements this directive through national legislation, such as Germany's Battery Act (Batteriegesetz, BattG). The directive's primary aim is to minimize the environmental impact of batteries by ensuring they are properly collected, treated, and recycled, thereby reducing harmful waste and promoting sustainable use of resources across the entire EU.

Non-compliance can result in penalties, including fines, removal of your product listings, and suspension of your seller account. Amazon may also require you to provide proof of compliance, such as registration and labeling documentation, to continue selling battery products on the platform.

EU Compliance Partner can assist you by handling the registration process with national authorities, ensuring your products are correctly labeled, and managing your take-back and reporting obligations. We provide expert guidance to help you navigate the complexities of the EU Battery Directive, ensuring your Amazon business remains compliant and avoiding potential penalties.

Yes, the Battery Act covers all types of batteries and accumulators, including:

• Portable batteries (e.g., AA, AAA, button cells).
• Automotive batteries (e.g., car batteries).
• Industrial batteries (e.g., for machinery or backup power). However, some batteries, such as those embedded in products or devices, may have different take-back and disposal requirements.

The crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicates that the battery or product should not be disposed of in regular household waste. Instead, it must be recycled or disposed of at a designated collection point. This symbol is required on all batteries in compliance with the Battery Act to inform consumers about their responsibility to dispose of used batteries properly.

Under the Battery Act, batteries are classified as hazardous if they contain certain substances above specified thresholds, such as:

• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Lead

These substances are toxic and can cause harm to human health and the environment if not properly recycled. Batteries containing more than 0.0005% mercury, 0.002% cadmium, or 0.004% lead by weight are considered hazardous and must be marked accordingly.

Yes, under the Battery Act, all products containing batteries must be clearly labeled with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. Additionally, any batteries that contain hazardous substances (e.g., mercury, cadmium, lead) must be marked with the appropriate chemical symbol (e.g., Hg for mercury, Cd for cadmium) to indicate the presence of these substances. This labeling is required to inform consumers about how to properly dispose of these products and their batteries.

The Battery Act specifically applies to the German market. However, businesses operating in the European Union must comply with similar regulations across EU member states, such as the EU Battery Directive, which has been harmonized across the EU. While national regulations like the Battery Act may differ in detail, they all aim to achieve the same goal of reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible battery disposal and recycling.

The Battery Act (BattG) focuses specifically on the collection, recycling, and disposal of batteries and accumulators, while the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) deals with the recycling and disposal of electronic waste. Although the two regulations cover different types of waste, they both share a common goal of reducing environmental harm and encouraging recycling. The Battery Act applies to both standalone batteries and those embedded in products, while the WEEE Directive applies to electronic devices that may contain batteries.