The first EU battery directive was introduced in 1991. A new directive (2006/66/EC) has been introduced in September 2006. EU member states have two years (until September 2008) to transpose the new directive into national legislation.

To this date, a number of EU countries already have battery legislation in force that obliges producers and importers of batteries to arrange for take-back and recycling of discarded batteries.
In order to do so, collective take-back schemes have been established. By paying the admission and recycling fee per product and reporting the marketed amounts to the scheme, the producer complies with the national legislation. The scheme will organize take-back and transport of the waste batteries to a certified recycler.

In the newly introduced EU directive, the use of certain hazardous substances (cadmium and nickel) will be prohibited in most batteries and accumulators. Furthermore, the directive introduces high obligatory targets for collection and recycling. These requirements are expected to trigger the establishment of collective take-back schemes in all EU countries to fulfill the obligations for producers and importers. It also requires further development of the recycling branch.

All types of batteries and accumulators are included in the scope of the new battery directive, also including automotive and industrial accumulators. The ‘crossed out wheeled bin’ symbol shall be shown on the battery in order to inform the end-user of the obligation to separately dispose of the used battery. The producers and importers will have to inform the end-user of the meaning of the symbol.