Ecodesign preparatory study for batteries

The Communication “Europe on the Move: Sustainable Mobility for Europe: safe, connected and clean” adopted on 17th May 2018 included in annex a Strategic Action Plan on Batteries. In this plan, the Commission commits to launching a study on the key determining factors for the production of safe and sustainable ('green') batteries. On that basis, the Commission plans to put forward battery sustainability “design and use” requirements for all batteries to comply with when placed on the EU internal market. In addition, the Commission has committed to supporting a sustainable battery value chain as a key driver for EU competitiveness.

This study is one of several ongoing initiatives targeting the value chain of batteries. In the scope of the study are rechargeable electrochemical batteries with a primary focus on 'industrial batteries' according to the definitions of  the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC), i.e. any battery designed for exclusively industrial or professional use or used in any type of electric vehicle.

The study provides the European Commission with a technical, environmental and economic analysis of Batteries in accordance with Article 15 of the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC. It is based on the Methodology for Ecodesign of Energy-related Products (MEErP). This methodology consists of 7 tasks, ranging from product definition to policy scenario analysis.

A large team works on the study with /energyVille/VITO leading the study and specific tasks on standardization and environment and economics.