The Central Government has announced an amendment to the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. This amendment was published on June 20, 2024.
It may be recalled that the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 had introduced an obligation on producers with respect to the minimum use of domestically recycled materials in new batteries.
Phased Implementation
The minimum use obligations was to be implemented in stages, starting with a minimum for all battery types. This percentage will then rise steadily, reaching 20% for portable batteries and electric vehicle batteries and 40% for automotive or industrial batteries by 2030-2031 and onwards.
Prior to the present amendment, the phased implementation of the targets of minimum use of recycled materials for automotive and industrial batteries was set to be implemented from 2024-25. The implementation of targets for portable and electric vehicle batteries was to be implemented form 2027-2028.
Now, by the present amendment rules, the phased implementation of these targets for all batteries, whether portable or of electric vehicles, or automotive or industrial shall begin from 2027-2028. The notification has also specified that these targets are to be met in terms of financial year.
This amendment reiterates a progressive increase in the minimum percentage of recycled materials that battery manufacturers must incorporate into new batteries. However, it does not introduces any changes to the minimum percentages.
This update aims to provides producers of domestically recycled batteries additional time to meet targets of minimum use of recycled materials of batteries.
