Around the world, laws regulate the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb) in cells or batteries. They impose binding limits that are stricter than the RoHS ones. These restrictions of chemicals in batteries are an essential part of battery compliance.
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The applicable regulation is directives 2006/66/EC and 2013/56/EU on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators. These directives restrict harmful substances in batteries, namely cadmium, lead, and mercury.
Any company searching to import products into the 27 member states of the European Union must comply with the EU Battery Directive (2006/66/EC). Without compliance, suppliers risk receiving fines and encountering shipping barriers.
The directives demand:
Producers cannot charge for a separate collection of disposed battery products.
Additionally, the REACH regulation, with its list of Substances of Very High Concern and its restrictions under Annex XVII is another applicable EU obligation to batteries.
The applicable law is GB 24427-2021 Content limitation of Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead for Zinc Anode Primary Battery.
As of April 30th, 2021, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), in collaboration with the Standardization Administration of the P.R.C (SAC) established GB 24427-2021. This regulation repeals both GB 24427-2009 Limitation of mercury, cadmium, and lead contents for alkaline and non-alkaline zinc manganese dioxide batteries and GB 24428-2009 Limitation of mercury content for zinc silver-oxide, zinc oxygen, and zinc manganese dioxide button batteries.
Amendments to the 2009 regulations include:
Battery Type | Cadmium (ppm) | Lead (ppm) | Mercury (ppm) |
---|---|---|---|
Alkaline zinc-air button | < 40 | < 500 | < 5 |
Alkaline zinc manganese dioxide | < 10 | < 40 | < 1 |
Alkaline zinc manganese dioxide button cells | < 20 | < 40 | < 5 |
Non-alkaline zinc manganese dioxide | < 100 | < 1000 | < 1 |
Zinc silver oxide button | < 40 | < 200 | < 5 |
Furthermore, the new Chinese testing standard for mercury, cadmium, and lead in batteries is GB/T 20155. Determination is dependent on the results of parallel testing two parts from the same batch.
As a side note, regulations apply to other products, like electrical and electronic components or packaging.
Ask Enviropass to perform compliance assessments on your behalf for the batteries you use, whether it is about labeling, technical documentation maintenance or simply following up with suppliers.
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