Batteries

Australia: NSW Government Passes Mandatory Battery Stewardship Laws to Cut Fire and Pollution Risk

NSW has passed nation-leading laws to create a mandatory product stewardship scheme for small, removable batteries, shifting end-of-life responsibility and costs onto battery brand owners from October 2026.[^1^](https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/epamedia/260407-nsw-leads-the-country-in-battery-reform-to-fight-fires-and-pollution#:~:text=The%20new%20laws%2C%20which%20recently%20passed%20Parliament%2C%20cement%20NSW%20as%20the%20first%20state) Strategically, this raises compliance and reporting expectations for battery suppliers while accelerating fire risk reduction and circular-economy infrastructure for batteries in Australia’s largest state.

10 Apr 2026, 16:05epa.nsw.gov.auAustralia

Hawaii Senate Schedules Floor Vote on Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal Resolution SCR83/SR73

On 8 April 2026, the Hawaii Senate scheduled floor consideration of concurrent resolution SCR83/SR73, which requests the City and County of Honolulu to consider developing a dedicated facility to discard lithium‑ion and electric‑vehicle batteries. While non-binding, this step reinforces political pressure for safe end‑of‑life infrastructure for lithium‑ion batteries in Honolulu and could foreshadow future regulatory or permitting requirements around battery waste and related facilities.

10 Apr 2026, 15:52capitol.hawaii.govUnited States

Oregon Governor Signs HB 4144 Establishing Battery Producer Responsibility Program for Batteries

Oregon has enacted HB 4144, creating a mandatory statewide producer-responsibility regime for portable and medium-format batteries and battery-containing products following the Governor’s signature in April 2026. Over the next three years, battery producers must organise into DEQ-approved programmes, fund dense collection and recycling infrastructure, and comply with performance targets and civil-penalty-backed obligations that materially raise EPR expectations for battery supply chains in Oregon.

10 Apr 2026, 15:41olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

Japan Central Environmental Council Issues Opinion on Future Waste Treatment System Reform

Japan’s Central Environmental Council has issued a comprehensive opinion to the environment minister outlining reforms to the national waste treatment system, focusing on scrap‑yard controls, PCB waste management and disaster‑waste measures (April 2026). If translated into legislation, these recommendations would tighten requirements for waste operators and large waste generators—especially those handling PCBs, lead‑acid and lithium‑ion batteries—and reshape Japan’s hazardous‑waste and disaster‑waste regimes over the coming years.

10 Apr 2026, 15:24env.go.jpJapan

Minnesota SF 1690 Second Engrossment on Battery and Electronics Stewardship Set for Senate Environment Committee Hearing

In April 2026, Minnesota’s SF 1690 reached second engrossment and is set for a Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee hearing, outlining a statewide producer‑funded stewardship programme for batteries, circuit boards and electrical products, alongside a 2029 ban on most mercury‑containing batteries.[^1^](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/1690/versions/latest/#:~:text=relating%20to%20environment%3B%20establishing%20stewardship%20program%20for%20circuit%20boards%2C) If enacted, battery and electronics manufacturers and importers serving Minnesota would need to join a stewardship organisation, fund a compliant collection network, redesign labelling and sales practices, and prepare for stricter waste‑management and mercury‑control obligations from 2027–2029 onward.[^3^](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/1690/versions/latest/#:~:text=Subd.%201.%20Due%20dates.)

10 Apr 2026, 13:15revisor.mn.govUnited States

Minnesota Senate Committee to Hear SF 1690 on Electronics and Battery Stewardship and Mercury Battery Ban

Minnesota is advancing SF 1690, establishing a producer-funded stewardship program for electronics and batteries and banning mercury in most primary batteries by 2028. Impacted businesses must prepare for mandatory collective stewardship participation, full cost absorption for end-of-life management, and new product labeling and composition standards.

9 Apr 2026, 14:21revisor.mn.govUnited States

Chinese Taipei Drafts Amendment to Dry Cell Battery Restrictions to Tighten Mercury Limits

Taiwan is proposing to tighten mercury limits for button cell batteries to ≤ 1 ppm and expand the scope of regulated dry cell batteries to include zinc-air button cells by July 2026. Manufacturers and importers must prepare for the invalidation of existing mercury confirmation documents and ensure new product certifications meet the stricter thresholds to maintain market access.

9 Apr 2026, 09:51members.wto.orgTaiwan

China Adds New XB/T and YS/T Industry Standards for Rare Earths, Non‑Ferrous Metals and Semiconductor Materials

China has formalized new XB/T and YS/T industry standards for rare earths, battery electrolytes, and semiconductor materials as of April 2026. Manufacturers and laboratories must update quality control protocols and analytical methods to ensure compliance with these standardized specifications for critical minerals and electronic components.

6 Apr 2026, 18:44hbba.sacinfo.org.cnChina

Iowa Senate Introduces SF 2477 to Establish Battery Stewardship Program

Iowa has introduced SF 2477 to establish a mandatory, producer-funded battery stewardship program with collection and recycling targets beginning in 2027. Manufacturers face new extended producer responsibility (EPR) costs, chemistry-specific labeling mandates, and market access risks for non-compliant products starting in 2028.

6 Apr 2026, 16:28legis.iowa.govUnited States

Minnesota Governor Proposes FY 2026–27 Budget Funding for Electronic and Battery Stewardship and Spill Response Changes

Minnesota's Governor has proposed FY 2026–27 supplemental funding to establish new electronic and battery stewardship programs and tighten emergency spill response statutes. This signals a strategic shift toward mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR), requiring manufacturers to prepare for potential new compliance and end-of-life management obligations.

5 Apr 2026, 18:44lrl.mn.govUnited States

UK: Environment Agency Updates Waste Export Standards for Indonesia and Malaysia After Malaysian WEEE Import Ban

The UK has updated waste export requirements for Southeast Asia, highlighting a total ban on electronic waste (WEEE) imports into Malaysia starting February 2026. Companies must urgently audit disposal chains to reroute WEEE and ensure Indonesian plastic exports meet tightened licensing and 2% contamination thresholds to maintain producer responsibility compliance.

5 Apr 2026, 05:51gov.ukUnited KingdomIndonesiaMalaysia

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Proposes Rules for Renewable Energy Component Recycling Facilities Under HB 3229

Texas has proposed new rules requiring renewable energy component recycling facilities to provide financial assurance and annual reporting starting in late 2026. Operators must prepare for increased compliance costs and rigorous financial guarantees to mitigate environmental liabilities associated with end-of-life wind, solar, and battery equipment.

5 Apr 2026, 05:39tceq.texas.govUnited States

Environment Agency Applies CPI Uplift To Waste (Miscellaneous) Charging Scheme In England

The UK Environment Agency has increased all fees under the Waste (miscellaneous) charging scheme in England by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), effective April 1, 2026. Businesses managing WEEE, batteries, or international waste shipments must account for higher administrative costs and ensure correct fee payments to avoid application or notification delays.

4 Apr 2026, 11:01gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Iowa Senate Appropriations Committee To Consider Battery Stewardship Bill SF 545

Iowa is advancing legislation to establish a mandatory battery stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework for portable and medium-format batteries. If enacted, manufacturers face significant take-back obligations and new labeling requirements by 2029, with market access contingent on approved stewardship plans starting in 2028.

3 Apr 2026, 18:29legis.iowa.govUnited States

EU JRC Updates Product Groups List With New ESPR and Batteries Projects

The EU JRC has updated its product group priorities, signaling upcoming technical requirements for repairability, circularity, and battery design under the ESPR and Batteries Regulation. These workstreams will shape the specific ecodesign and removability standards that will determine future market access and product design requirements across multiple sectors.

3 Apr 2026, 18:07susproc.jrc.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

European Parliament Publishes Study On Chinese Industrial Overcapacity In Key Green-Tech Sectors

The European Parliament released a strategic study on Chinese industrial overcapacity across the battery, hydrogen, semiconductor, and robotics sectors. Businesses should prepare for increased trade-defense actions and a more protectionist EU industrial policy aimed at securing domestic green-tech supply chains.

2 Apr 2026, 17:46europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Japan Consumer Affairs Agency Issues Serious Product Accident Notice On Long-Term Use Of Air Conditioner Outdoor Units And Recalled Electric Stoves

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has issued a serious accident notice highlighting fire risks from aging air conditioners and incomplete recalls of electric stoves. Manufacturers should prioritize post-market surveillance and recall effectiveness, as low completion rates and long-term product durability are under increased regulatory scrutiny.

2 Apr 2026, 08:57caa.go.jpJapan

UK Government Publishes Sector-Specific Guidance on UKCA and CE Product Marking

The UK government has issued consolidated guidance confirming the continued recognition of CE marking alongside UKCA for most product sectors in Great Britain. This provides regulatory stability for manufacturers, allowing for flexible market access while highlighting specific transition timelines for medical devices and construction products.

1 Apr 2026, 19:36gov.ukUnited KingdomEuropean Union

US CPSC Direct Final Rule Updates Portable Hook-On Chair Standard To ASTM F1235-25

The US CPSC has updated the mandatory safety standard for portable hook-on chairs to incorporate ASTM F1235-25, effective July 19, 2026. Manufacturers must ensure compliance with new battery-specific performance, testing, and labeling requirements for products with electronic features to maintain market access.

1 Apr 2026, 14:19govinfo.govUnited States

EU JRC Study Identifies Policy Parameters For Removal And Replacement Of Portable And LMT Batteries

The EU Joint Research Centre has defined 15 technical parameters to standardise battery removability and replaceability under the Batteries Regulation and ESPR. These criteria signal upcoming design mandates for hardware fasteners, tool accessibility, and software transparency that will dictate product architecture and compliance strategies.

1 Apr 2026, 08:36publications.jrc.ec.europa.euEuropean Union