On Thursday 19 June, the Member States’ Permanent Representatives to the EU adopted their negotiating position on simplifying the ‘batteries’ regulation. The proposal was published by the European Commission less than a month ago (see EUROPE 13645/2), and the Member States have adopted the proposed changes without adding or removing anything.
This ‘omnibus’ regulation applies the ‘Stop the Clock’ principle, already used for other texts and which consists here in postponing by two years the entry into force of certain parts of the ‘batteries’ regulation. These are obligations on battery producers to report on their due diligence, with the aim of preventing the production or waste of batteries from having a harmful impact on the environment.
This obligation was due to come into force in August 2025, but will be postponed until August 2027 if the ‘omnibus’ regulation is adopted.
In addition, manufacturers will no longer be required to publish annual reports on their compliance with the regulation every year, but every three years.
If the European Parliament also adopts this ‘omnibus’ text without any changes, it could be adopted and enter into force before August. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)