Brussels, 19/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - No more mercury or cadmium in batteries! The new European directive on recycling batteries and accumulators has been adopted. The formal decision was taken without debate on the sidelines of the Ecofin Council on 11 November. The text will amend the 2006 directive strengthening provisions on the elimination of mercury and cadmium.
Cadmium was previously authorised, as a derogation, in the use of batteries for cordless electronic equipment, such as drills, electronic screwdrivers and saws. It will now be banned as of 31 December 2016. The use of mercury in button batteries will also be banned from the autumn of 2015 but existing stocks of batteries and accumulators can continue to be legally (see EUROPE 10941). (AN/transl.fl)