EU Battery Regulation: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Supply Chains

Whether in electric vehicles, industrial machinery, or consumer electronics, batteries are at the heart of today’s manufacturing value chains. For producers, suppliers, and recyclers, they represent both a business opportunity and a regulatory challenge. Rising expectations around sustainability, material traceability, and safe end-of-life management are reshaping how companies operate.

The EU Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) responds to these challenges with a comprehensive framework designed to increase transparency and reduce environmental impact. For businesses across automotive, electronics, and related industries, the regulation is not only a compliance obligation but also a catalyst for digital transformation and long-term competitiveness in a circular economy.

What Does the EU Battery Regulation Cover?

The EU Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) entered into force on 17 August 2023, replacing the long-standing EU Battery Directive. Unlike the directive, which allowed room for national interpretations, the regulation introduces binding and uniform requirements across all EU member states.

Its scope covers the entire battery life cycle, from design and production to use and end-of-life management. It regulates every major category, including portable batteries, industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, stationary energy storage systems (SBESS), and light means of transport (LMT) batteries.

The key objectives are clear: minimize environmental impact, ensure traceability and due diligence, and improve data transparency to foster a circular economy. By embedding strict reporting and sustainability requirements, the regulation sets a new benchmark for safety, performance, and durability in the European market.

The regulation applies to a wide range of stakeholders in the battery supply chain, including:

• Manufacturers of batteries and battery-powered products
• Importers bringing batteries into the EU market
• Distributors placing batteries in different sales channels
• Recyclers and waste operators handling end-of-life batteries
• Other economic operators responsible for ensuring compliance
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) & End-of-Life Vehicles
  
  

Spotlight: What Is The EU Battery Passport?

The Battery Passport is a digital product record that makes battery-related data accessible throughout the supply chain. Its goal is to ensure full transparency on how batteries are produced, used, and managed at the end-of-life stage. The introduction of the Battery Passport is a central innovation of the EU Battery Regulation.

The passport will be mandatory for industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and light means of transport (LMT) batteries. For these categories, companies must provide standardized digital information that can be easily shared across stakeholders.

Each Battery Passport must include:

• Carbon footprint and recycled material content
• Material origin and supply chain data
• Technical specifications, condition, and repairability

Importantly, the Battery Passport is closely linked to the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative, which aims to provide consistent product information across industries and support the transition to a circular economy.

Discover the Value of Digital Product Passports

Find out how digital product passports enable transparency and support circular economy goals. Learn how IPOINT contributes to their development.

Timeline & Compliance Milestones: When Does What Apply?

The EU Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542) is being phased in with staggered deadlines to enable companies to adapt gradually to its requirements:

In addition, the regulation foresees the adoption of delegated and implementing acts to define details on labeling, technical documentation, and other compliance obligations. These acts will gradually shape the practical implementation of the regulation and specify further requirements for companies.

What Companies Must Do Now

The EU Battery Regulation places far-reaching responsibilities on manufacturers, suppliers, and recyclers. To stay compliant and avoid disruption, businesses should begin preparations without delay. Key actions include:

• Assess your battery portfolio: Map which product categories fall under the regulation and identify specific requirements and reporting obligations.
• Set up robust data collection systems: Capture information on carbon footprint, material origin, and recycling content across the entire supply chain.
• Engage suppliers early: Establish transparent reporting processes and ensure partners can provide the required data on time.
• Strengthen collaboration: Build structures for cross-functional cooperation between compliance, procurement, IT, and sustainability teams.
• Evaluate digital solutions: Use scalable platforms to manage reporting complexity, support audit readiness, and align with upcoming initiatives like the Digital Product Passport.

IPOINT: Enabling Battery Regulation Compliance with Proven Expertise

For companies navigating the EU Battery Regulation, digital infrastructure is no longer optional. Extensive reporting and traceability obligations demand scalable, audit-ready solutions that bring together compliance, sustainability, and supply chain data.

Preparing for a New Era of Battery Compliance

The EU Battery Regulation is reshaping how companies in automotive, electronics, and related industries design, source, and manage batteries. For businesses across the supply chain, the regulation is not only a compliance obligation but also a chance to strengthen sustainability performance and gain a competitive edge in the global market.

Digital solutions from IPOINT provide the infrastructure needed to manage complex reporting, ensure audit readiness, and align with circular economy goals. By acting now, you can turn regulatory pressure into an opportunity for long-term resilience and growth. Get in touch with our experts and find out how IPOINT solutions can help you navigate the EU Battery Regulation with confidence.