What happened
The European Commission has adopted a report concluding that the EU’s existing battery recycling-rate and material-reclamation requirements remain appropriate. It has not proposed amendments to the benchmarks set under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, the Batteries Regulation.
The review considered market conditions, changes in battery technologies, scientific and technical progress, and present and expected supplies of key battery materials. The Commission said its Joint Research Centre provided technical support for the assessment.
What to do next: recyclers, battery producers and value-chain partners should continue compliance planning against the current dates and performance levels. They should also track later scientific and market developments, which the Commission says it will continue to monitor.
Why it matters
The decision preserves the EU compliance framework for processing waste batteries and recovering materials from them. According to the Commission, the current levels balance demanding outcomes with practical implementation for a growing recycling sector.
The Commission also links the unchanged requirements to circular-economy objectives, investment and innovation in recycling, and stronger European supply chains for materials used in sustainable mobility and climate-neutrality efforts.
Requirements that remain in place
Minimum recycling efficiency by average weight is due by the end of 2025: 80% for nickel-cadmium batteries, 75% for lead-acid batteries, 65% for lithium-based batteries and 50% for other waste batteries. At the end of 2030, the levels become 70% for lithium-based batteries and 80% for lead-acid batteries.
For material reclamation, the end-2027 requirement is 50% for lithium and 90% for each of cobalt, copper, lead and nickel. By the end of 2031, lithium must reach 80%, while each of the other four materials must reach 95%.
Next review
The Regulation requires the Commission to reconsider whether changes are needed at least once every five years. Its next assessment must be completed no later than 18 August 2031.
