The European Union continues to introduce changes in regulations to reduce the environmental impact of the products we use in our daily lives. The batteries and the batteries They are part of this strategy, since they contain materials that can be recovered and used again if they are managed correctly when they stop working. However, to achieve this it is necessary to improve both the information available on these components and the processes for collecting and treating their waste.
In recent years, Brussels has promoted different measures to promote the circular economy and reduce dependence on raw materials from other countries. Likewise, the European Commission It has also put a lot of pressure on manufacturers in the technology industry with new laws that favor consumer interests such as the acceptance of third-party app stores on all mobile platforms, guidelines on the repair of goods, energy efficiency requirements on chargers or the universality of USB-C ports.
Now, the European Commission has established a new obligation that will affect cells and batteries sold in the European market, including some of the components found in mobile phones, electric bicycles and cars.
What are the QR codes on batteries and batteries for?
With the new law of the European Union, certain categories of cells and batteries must incorporate a QR code that will allow access to information related to these components. The measure is part of the European Regulation on batteries, which establishes new requirements to improve their sustainability, traceability and management at the end of their useful life.
The information available will depend on the type of battery. The code will allow you to consult regulatory data and documentation related to the product, as well as useful information to know how it should be managed when it stops working. In this way, both consumers and those in charge of the recycling process will be able to better identify these components and know the appropriate procedures for their treatment.
On the other hand, the regulations also contemplate that the batteries include information about the materials recovered from waste that contain their active components. Among them are raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and lead, the use of which is relevant to reduce the need to extract new natural resources.
The QR code must be visible and legible. When the characteristics or size of the battery prevent it from being placed directly on it, it may be included in the packaging or accompanying documentation.
In addition, the European Union will also force manufacturers to ensure that all their mobile phones have removable batteries. Be that as it may, some batteries will have to have a digital passport. This requirement will affect batteries for electric vehicles, those intended for light means of transportation and industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh. Registration will allow you to consult information about its model, composition, performance and durability, among other information.
When will the new European Union law come into force?
The obligation to incorporate the QR code for the corresponding categories will begin on February 18, 2027. From that date, manufacturers must meet the requirements established in the European regulation to market their products in the European Union.
The measure does not mean that all cells and batteries must include exactly the same information. The requirements vary depending on their category and characteristics, so it is important to distinguish between general labeling obligations and the specific requirements of the digital passport.
In the case of electric vehicle batteries and other models included in this last category, the digital passport It will facilitate access to information during different stages of its useful life. This data can be useful to evaluate its condition, study possible reuse options and improve recycling processes.
With this initiative, the European Union aims to ensure that batteries can be managed more efficiently and that their materials have a second life whenever possible. The measure also seeks to improve transparency about components that are increasingly present in electric mobility and in the electronic devices that we use daily.