Brussels, 11/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - The proposal for a new European directive on the recycling of batteries and accumulators was given the formal approval of the European Parliament on Thursday 10 October in Strasbourg. It was by the wide majority of 578 votes to 17, with 5 abstentions, that the plenary session voted for the text, which will amend the 2006 directive, strengthening provisions on eliminating mercury and cadmium (see EUROPE 10869). Directive 2006/66/EC banned the sale of batteries and accumulators containing mercury or cadmium but an exemption was granted for batteries for use in cordless power tools (such as drills, screwdrivers and saws) and for button cells containing low amounts of mercury, commonly used in watches, toys and remote controls.
“The goal of this legislation is to enable a less costly transition for all in the value chain and to ensure enhanced protection of the environment and human health. This change will allow Europe to innovate in the field of batteries, materials, and recycling”, said rapporteur Vladko Todorov Panayotov (ALDE, Bulgaria).
Under the new rules, the ban on cadmium will come into effect on 31 December 2016 and the ban on mercury in batteries in autumn 2015. Existing stocks of batteries and accumulators may still be sold after that date, however. It is now for the Council to adopt the amended directive. This is expected to be a formality. (AN/transl.fl)