Batteries and Accumulators Regulations
Retailer Obligations
Batteries and accumulators are used as an energy source in many appliances used in the home and in general life. Batteries and accumulators contain heavy metals such as Cadmium, Nickel, Zinc and Lead. Heavy metals are hazardous to the environment but are also an important and valuable resource. For these reasons discharged/end-of-life batteries and accumulators must be recycled correctly.
The European Union (Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations 2014, as amended, impose obligations on producers, distributors and end-users of batteries and accumulators.
Retailer Registration Options:
Take-Back
All retailers selling batteries/accumulators are obligated to take back batteries (equivalent types of batteries) from members of the public free of charge. Take-back is on a one for zero basis i.e. no purchase is necessary. Retailers are not obligated to take back waste batteries that are leaking.
Inform End-User
All retailers selling batteries/accumulators must clearly exhibit relevant information notices (as per Regulation 33 of the aforementioned Regulations) at the point of sale or at the battery display and also conveniently locate the recycling facility for customers use.
Transfer of Waste Batteries/Accumulators
Retailers can only transfer waste batteries/accumulators to authorised waste collectors. WEEE Ireland (the approved collection compliance scheme for Laois area) or a permitted waste collector acting on behalf of the battery/accumulator producer may collect from the retailer. Portlaoise Civic Amenity Site (once prior arrangements have been made with the site operator) can take waste batteries/accumulators from retailers
All retailers selling batteries/accumulators must ensure that they are registered annually with either:
- their local authority laois-weee-battery-application-form laois-weee-battery-application-form, or
- an approved registration body such as WEEE Ireland http://www.weeeireland.ie/ or European Recycling Platform (ERP) http://www.erp-recycling.ie/.
Retailers only selling portable batteries (i.e. AA, AAA, Cell C, Cell D, PP3 and PP9) are exempt from registering (but are still obligated to provide free take-back facilities for batteries of the same type as sold on the premises).
Retailers selling automotive or industrial batteries and not already registered under the WEEE Regulations are required to register with either:
- their local authority and pay a fee of €200 annually OR
- WEEE Ireland or ERP Recycling
Obligations of Producers
All producers of batteries/accumulators are obligated to register with the PRL (The Producer Register Limited) http://www.producerregister.ie/.
Members of the Pubic
Householders can deposit their waste batteries at collection points on the premises of all battery retailers once the waste batteries are equivalent to the type which is sold on the premises. Waste batteries and accumulators can also be brought to the Portlaoise Civic Amenity Centre on the Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise.
Waste batteries and accumulators should never be disposed of in household bins or household waste.
Further Information
Laois County Council, Environment Section Tel: (057)-8674322
Email: environment@laoiscoco.ie
Additional information is provided in the following documents/webpages:
European Union (Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 283 of 2014)
laois-weee-battery-application-form
EPA – Batteries Information
EPA – Retailer/Distributor Information
Note: This page is a guide only. It does not purport to provide, and should not be relied upon as, a legal interpretation of the Regulations. Laois County Council advises you to read the Regulations in full.