EU battery recycling directive comes into force

26 September 2008 13:07  [Source: ICIS news]

PARIS (ICIS news)--A revised European Union (EU) directive regarding the collection and recycling of used batteries was brought into force on Friday in an attempt to reduce the environmental pollution from mercury, lead, cadmium and other metals.

Producers would be responsible for the management of batteries once they become waste.

The batteries directive required the recycling of 25% of all portable domestic batteries sold by 2012, rising to 45% in 2016.

It also restricted the use of mercury in all batteries and the use of cadmium in portable batteries.

While all 25 EU member states were required to transpose the directive into national law, the European Commission (EC) said only seven countries had done so yet.

The EC said it would "take any necessary infringement action against member states …if they do not remedy the situation rapidly".

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By: Philippa Jones
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