The EU Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulation

Learn how to get compliant with EPR for batteries.

Overview

From August 18, 2025, new requirements under the EU Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulation come into effect. These are part of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, aimed at reducing environmental impact and encouraging safe handling, clear labeling, proper collection, and the recycling of batteries.

What the regulation requires

This regulation applies to all business sellers offering new or used batteries, standalone or contained within products, to customers in the EU or Northern Ireland. If you're also considered to be a producer, you may need to:

  • Register with local battery authorities to get battery IDs in each individual country where your batteries are first placed on the market;
  • Appoint an Authorized Representative (AR) in countries where you do not have a local presence;
  • Periodically report your sales volumes;
  • Pay any applicable recycling fees to Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).

Qualifying as a producer

You’re likely to be considered a producer in specific EU countries or Northern Ireland if you’re the first one to supply the batteries you sell into those markets. 

You may be considered a producer if any of the following apply:

  • You manufacture the batteries you sell in EU countries or Northern Ireland; 
  • You import batteries into a specific EU market or Northern Ireland for the first time, regardless who manufactured them;
  • You sell batteries produced by someone else under your own name or brand;
  • You’re based outside the EU or Northern Ireland and sell batteries directly to customers in those countries. 

If you’re unsure whether this applies to you, we recommend you consult with local regulatory bodies or your legal advisor.

Types of batteries covered by the regulation

The EU Batteries and Waste Batteries Regulation applies to all categories of batteries, standalone or contained within products (for example in laptops), including:

  • Portable batteries – commonly used in household electronics and small appliances;
  • SLI batteries (Starting, Lighting, and Ignition) – typically found in vehicles for ignition and powering lights;
  • Industrial batteries – designed for industrial or commercial use, such as backup power systems or machinery;
  • LMT batteries (Light Means of Transportation) – used, for example, in e-scooters, e-bikes, and other light electric transport;
  • EV batteries (Electric Vehicle batteries) – specifically intended for use in electric cars and other full-sized electric vehicles.

What you need to do

  • Get familiar with the law: Review the EU regulation to understand your obligations as a seller. This official summary would be a good starting point;
  • Check your status: Determine if you're a producer in any country you sell in Start registering: If you’re a producer, register with the relevant authorities in each country, where required;
  • Prepare to provide your battery IDs to eBay: We’ll soon be launching a feature to manage your battery IDs directly in your account;
  • If you already have your battery IDs: You can start adding them to the description field of your relevant listings now.

Please note that various national battery laws already exist, and local sanctions for non-compliance may vary by country.

 

For further help

Contact your legal advisor or speak with our partner Interzero, who can help you get compliant with EPR battery requirements.

FAQs

Starting August 18, 2025, your listings may be hidden until you add the necessary battery IDs to your account. In addition, you may be subject to sanctions from local authorities.

Each country has a local authority where producers must register and obtain battery IDs. To be compliant across multiple countries, it’s likely you’ll need to appoint an Authorized Representative (AR) and register with a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for each country you sell batteries to. Our partners at Interzero can offer support, and help you choose suitable PRO partners across the EU and Northern Ireland.

An Authorized Representative (AR) is someone a seller has appointed to manage battery compliance on their behalf in countries where they don't have a local presence. An AR takes care of issues such as contracting with local PROs and ensuring all other legal requirements are met. In some cases, the AR organization can also serve as a PRO.

A PRO is a third-party service provider that helps businesses meet their legal obligations under environmental regulations. PROs can help you take care of your Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations for selling batteries, such as registration with national authorities, data collection, reporting, and recycling on your behalf.

In many countries, working with a PRO is mandatory. Even where it’s optional, most businesses still choose to work with one because it saves time, reduces risk, and ensures they remain compliant.

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