Lithium cells and batteries as hazardous waste
For collection points that have already been working with a take-back system (e.g. RLG, GRS) nothing will change formally.
Potential collection points include retailers, public waste management entities and voluntary take-back points. The latter typically include companies that collect batteries (appliance and low-voltage batteries) on their premises. The waste generator will generally not register or be licensed as an Organization for Producer Responsibility. Manufacturers who wish to take back their own batteries nationwide and provide the services mentioned above can register as an Organization for Producer Responsibility
An Organization for Producer Responsibility is an approved, registered system that assumes the obligations of extended producer responsibility on behalf of the manufacturers. The manufacturer pays license fees for the following services provided by the Organization for Producer Responsibility (provision of collection containers, pickup, organization of disposal). Affiliated collection points can use these services free of charge if they have entered into an agreement (contract) with the Organization for Producer Responsibility that is valid for at least one year.
In the case of starter batteries, there is an additional obligation: as a waste generator, I must select a “scrap dealer” who is a designated waste management operator, unless I hand over the batteries to a retailer, to public waste management entities as a private individual, or to an Organization for Producer Responsibility.
Under this link you can find infos on the new waste code and on its implementation https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202500934
