EU Proposes Standardised Reporting Format for Waste Batteries under Batteries Regulation

New Obligations for Battery Reporting and Quality Checks

Under the proposed format, national authorities must submit annual data on the volumes and chemistry of batteries placed on the market and collected for treatment. The regulation applies to five key battery types—portable, industrial, light means of transport (LMT), starting-lighting-ignition (SLI), and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Each category will require detailed breakdowns by battery chemistry, including lithium-based, lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and others. The format includes metrics on recycling efficiency and material recovery rates for substances such as cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel. Member States must also provide a standardised quality check report, ensuring data accuracy, traceability, and compliance with Articles 70 and 76 of the regulation.

Implications for Industry and Regulatory Compliance

This initiative is not merely administrative—it carries significant operational and strategic implications for the entire manufacturing value chain. Producers and recyclers will need to align with the reporting methodology, verify data sources, and ensure waste batteries are sorted and categorised correctly.

Authorities will monitor metrics like recycling efficiency and material recovery rates, which can influence future target revisions and market rules, especially for critical materials like lithium and cobalt. Importantly, Member States must submit all data electronically, complying with a standard data interchange system defined by the Commission.

Consultation Timeline and Next Steps

The feedback window remains open until 11 August 2025, offering stakeholders an opportunity to shape the final reporting requirements. The Commission plans to adopt the regulation in Q3 2025. Once in force, the format will be binding and directly applicable across all Member States.