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Commission Regulation (EU) No 493/2012 of 11 June 2012 laying down, pursuant to Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, detailed rules regarding the calculation of recycling efficiencies of the recycling processes of waste batteries and accumulators Text with EEA relevance

Commission Regulation (EU) No 493/2012 of 11 June 2012 laying down, pursuant to Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, detailed rules regarding the calculation of recycling efficiencies of the recycling processes of waste batteries and accumulators Text with EEA relevance

Regulation (EU) No 493/2012 · Regulation · 10 articles

Data as of 2026-07-04 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗

Scope

Article 1

This Regulation shall apply to the recycling processes carried out to waste batteries and accumulators from 1 January 2014.

Definitions

Article 2

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: (1) ‘recycling process’ means any reprocessing operation as referred to in Article 3(8) of Directive 2006/66/EC which is carried out on waste lead-acid, nickel-cadmium and other batteries and accumulators and results in the production of output fractions as defined in point 5 of this Article. The recycling process does not include sorting and/or preparation for recycling/disposal and may be carried out in a single facility or in several facilities; (2) ‘preparation for recycling’ means treatment of waste batteries and/or accumulators prior to any recycling process, which shall, inter alia, include storage, handling, dismantling of battery packs or separation of fractions that are not part of the battery or accumulator itself; (3) ‘recycling efficiency’ of a recycling process means the ratio obtained by dividing the mass of output fractions accounting for recycling by the mass of the waste batteries and accumulators input fraction expressed as a percentage; (4) ‘input fraction’ means the mass of collected waste batteries and accumulators entering the recycling process as defined in Annex I; (5) ‘output fraction’ means the mass of materials that are produced from the input fraction as a result of the recycling process, as defined in Annex I without undergoing further treatment, that have ceased to be waste or that will be used for their original purpose or for other purposes, but excluding energy recovery.

Calculation of recycling efficiency

Article 3

1.   The method set out in Annex I shall be used to calculate the recycling efficiency of a process for recycling waste lead-acid, nickel-cadmium and other batteries and accumulators. 2.   The method set out in Annex II shall be used to calculate the rate of recycled lead content for any recycling process. 3.   The method set out in Annex III shall be used to calculate the rate of recycled cadmium content for any recycling process. 4.   Recyclers shall report the information shown in Annex IV, Annex V and Annex VI, as applicable, on an annual basis and shall send it to the Member State’s competent authorities by no later than four months from the end of a calendar year concerned. Recyclers shall send their first annual reports no later than the 30 April 2015. 5.   Reporting on the recycling efficiency shall cover all individual steps of recycling and all corresponding output fractions. 6.   Where a recycling process is carried out at more than one facility, the first recycler is responsible for submitting the information required under point 4 to the Member State’s competent authorities.

Entry into force

Article 4

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .

Supplementary provisions

ANNEX ISupplementary provisions

ANNEX I Method for the calculation of the recycling efficiency of the recycling process of waste batteries and accumulators 1. The recycling efficiency of a recycling process is calculated as follows: , [mass %] where: R E = calculated recycling efficiency of a recycling process for the purpose of Article 12(4) of Directive 2006/66/EC [in mass %]; m output = the mass of output fractions accounting for recycling per calendar year ; m input = the mass of input fractions entering the battery recycling process per calendar year. 2. The recycling efficiency of a recycling process is calculated separately for the following waste battery types: — lead-acid batteries and accumulators, — nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators, and — other batteries and accumulators. 3. The recycling efficiency is calculated on the basis of the overall chemical composition (at elemental/compound level) of the input and output fractions. The following applies in respect of the input fraction: — recyclers shall determine the share of different types of waste battery or accumulator present in an input fraction by conducting a sorting analysis of the fraction (by continuous or representative sampling), — the chemical composition of each type of waste battery or accumulator present in the input fraction is determined on the basis of the chemical composition of new batteries and accumulators when placed on the market or on the basis of available data of recyclers or on information provided by the battery producers, — recyclers shall determine the overall chemical composition of the input fraction by applying the chemical composition analysis to the types of batteries or accumulators present in the input fraction. 4. Emissions to the atmosphere are not accounted for the recycling efficiency. 5. The mass of output fractions accounting for recycling is the mass, on a dry weight basis, of the elements or compounds contained in fractions resulting from the recycling of waste batteries and accumulators per calendar year [in tonnes]. The following may be, inter alia, accounted for output fractions: — the carbon which is actually used as a reducing agent or which is a component of an output fraction of the recycling process, if it results from the input waste batteries and accumulators, on the condition that it is certified by an independent scientific authority and made publicly available. The carbon which is used for energy recovery is not accounted for the recycling efficiency, — the oxygen, used as an oxidising agent, if it results from the input waste batteries and accumulators and if it is a component of an output fraction of the recycling process. The oxygen coming from the atmosphere is not accounted for the recycling efficiency, — battery and accumulator materials contained in slag suitable and used for recycling purposes as defined in Article 3(8) of Directive 2006/66/EC other than landfill construction or backfilling operations, provided that this is in line with national requirements. 6. The mass of input fractions entering the battery recycling process is the mass of collected waste batteries and accumulators on a dry weight basis entering the recycling process per calendar year [in tonnes], including: — fluids and acids, — the mass of external jacket of waste batteries and accumulators, and excluding: — the mass of outer casings belonging to battery packs.

ANNEX IISupplementary provisions

ANNEX II Method for the calculation of the rate of recycled lead content 1. The rate of recycled lead content is calculated as follows: , [mass %] where: R Pb = calculated rate of recycled lead (Pb) from a recycling process for the purpose of Article 12(4) of Directive 2006/66/EC [in mass %]; m Pb output = the mass of Pb in output fractions accounting for recycling is the share of Pb contained in these fractions which results from the recycling of lead-acid batteries and accumulators per calendar year [in tonnes]; m Pb input = the mass of Pb in the input fraction entering the battery recycling process is defined as the yearly average Pb content of waste lead-acid batteries and accumulators multiplied by the input mass of lead-acid batteries and accumulators per calendar year [in tonnes]. 2. In the output fraction the lead (Pb) contained in slag at the end of the recycling process is not accounted for the rate of recycled lead content.

ANNEX IIISupplementary provisions

ANNEX III Method for the calculation of the rate of recycled cadmium content 1. The rate of recycled cadmium content is calculated as follows: , [mass %] where: R Cd = calculated rate of recycled cadmium (Cd) from a recycling process for the purpose of Article 12(4) of Directive 2006/66/EC [in mass %]; m Cd output = the mass of Cd in output fractions accounting for recycling is the share of Cd contained in these fractions which results from the recycling of nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators per calendar year [in tonnes]. m Cd input = the mass of Cd in the input fraction entering the battery recycling process is defined as the yearly average Cd content of waste nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators multiplied by the input mass of nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators per calendar year [in tonnes]. 2. In the output fraction the cadmium (Cd) contained in slag at the end of the recycling process is not accounted for the rate of recycled cadmium content.

ANNEX IVSupplementary provisions

ANNEX IV Reporting on recycling efficiencies for lead-acid batteries and accumulators 1. For lead-acid batteries and accumulators input into the recycling process the following information shall be reported: Recycling efficiency of a battery recycling process (lead-acid batteries) Calendar year     Facility  ( 1 ) Name   Street   City   Country   Contact person   E-mail   Tel.   Description of the complete battery recycling process  ( 2 ) : Input to the complete battery recycling process  ( 3 ) Description of waste batteries and accumulators EWC code (optional) Mass  ( 4 ) Overall composition of input m input t/a Element or compound mass % [t/a]             Elements or components, which are not part of the input fractions         Impurities  ( 8 )     Outer casing of battery pack   Water (H 2 O)   Other   Elements or components, which are part of the input fractions Lead (Pb)     Sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 )     Plastics     Other                 m input , total  ( 5 )         m output , Pb  ( 5 )   m output , total  ( 5 )     Recycling efficiency (R E )  ( 6 ) : m output /m input   mass % Degree of recycled Pb (R Pb )  ( 7 ) : m Pb output /m Pb input   mass % 2. For the individual steps of the recycling process of lead-acid batteries and accumulators the following information shall be reported: Process step 1 Calendar year     Facility  ( 9 ) Name   Street   City   Country   Contact person   E-mail   Tel.   Description of the individual process step: Input (waste batteries or waste batteries fractions)  ( 10 ) Description of input EWC code (optional) Mass   t/a                   Output (1)    Intermediate fractions  ( 11 ) Description of fraction EWC code (optional) Mass  ( 12 ) Further treatment Recipient  ( 13 ) Further process step t/a Name             1_1           1_2           1_3           1_4           1_5           1_6           1_7           1_8           1_9           1_10 (2)    Final output fractions accounting for recycling  ( 14 ) Element or compound  ( 15 ) Fraction (non-waste) containing the element or compound Concentration of the element or compound in the fraction Mass of the element or compound, which results from batteries input Fate of the fraction mass % t/a                       m output , Pb     m output , total   ( 1 )   Facility treating the waste batteries and accumulators after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling. ( 2 )   Description of the complete battery recycling process, no matter if carried out by one or several facilities (including a description of the individual recycling steps and their output fractions). ( 3 )   Description of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling. ( 4 )   Wet mass of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling (the mass of separated impurities and outer casing of battery packs as well as the water content as specified in the field ‘overall composition’ shall be subtracted for the calculation of the recycling efficiency). ( 5 )   Data transferred from Annex IV(2). ( 6 )   Calculated according to the formula for RE based on data reported according to Annex IV(2). ( 7 )   Calculated according to the formula for R Pb based on data reported according to Annex IV(2). ( 8 )   Examples of impurities include plastic, ebonite chips, items/pieces of iron, fibres from electronic scrap, molten aluminium. ( 9 )   Facility carrying out an individual process step. ( 10 )   For step 1 = the same as input into the complete battery recycling process. For subsequent steps = intermediate fractions from the previous process step. ( 11 )   Intermediate fractions = fractions destined for subsequent step(s) in the recycling process. ( 12 )   Resulting from the batteries input (dry mass). ( 13 )   Facility to which the intermediate fraction is handed over or — if the further process step is carried out internally — the same as 1. ( 14 )   Final output fractions accounting for recycling = that have ceased to be waste and that will be used for their original purpose or for other purposes without undergoing further treatment, but excluding energy recovery. See also examples in Annex I(5). ( 15 )   Elements and compounds if they were component of the batteries input (waste battery). See special provisions and examples in Annex I(5). For lead (Pb) in slag see the provision in Annex II(2). Lead must be entered as ‘Pb’.

ANNEX VSupplementary provisions

ANNEX V Reporting on recycling efficiencies for nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators 1. For nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators input into the recycling process the following information shall be reported: Recycling efficiency of a battery recycling process (nickel-cadmium batteries) Calendar year     Facility  ( 1 ) Name   Street   City   Country   Contact person   E-mail   Tel.   Description of the complete battery recycling process  ( 2 ) : Input into the complete battery recycling process  ( 3 ) Description of waste batteries and accumulators EWC code (optional) Mass  ( 4 ) Overall composition of input m input t/a Element or compound mass % [t/a]             Elements or components, which are not part of the input fractions         Impurities  ( 8 )     Outer casing of battery pack   Water (H 2 O)   Other   Elements or components, which are part of the input fractions Cadmium (Cd)     Nickel (Ni)     Iron (Fe)     Plastics     Electrolyte           m input , total  ( 5 )         m output , Cd  ( 5 )   m output , total  ( 5 )     Recycling efficiency (R E )  ( 6 ) : m output /m input   mass % Degree of recycled Cd (R Cd )  ( 7 ) : m Cd output /m Cd input   mass % 2. For the individual steps of the recycling process of nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators the following information shall be reported: Process step 1 Calendar year     Facility  ( 9 ) Name   Street   City   Country   Contact person   E-mail   Tel.   Description of the individual process step: Input (waste batteries or waste batteries fractions)  ( 10 ) Description of input EWC code (optional) Mass   T/a       Output (1)    Intermediate fractions  ( 11 ) Description of fraction EWC code (optional) Mass  ( 12 ) Further treatment Recipient  ( 13 ) Further process step t/a Name             1_1           1_2           1_3           1_4           1_5           1_6           1_7           1_8           1_9           1_10 (2)    Final output fractions accounting for recycling  ( 14 ) Element or compound  ( 15 ) Fraction (non-waste) containing the element or compound Concentration of the element or compound in the fraction Mass of the element or compound, which results from batteries input Fate of the fraction mass % t/a                       m output , Cd     m output , total   ( 1 )   Facility reprocessing the waste batteries and accumulators after collection and eventual sorting. ( 2 )   Description of the complete battery recycling process, no matter if carried out by one or several facilities (including a description of the individual recycling steps and their output fractions). ( 3 )   Description of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection and eventual sorting and preparation for recycling. ( 4 )   Wet mass of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection and eventual sorting (the mass of separated impurities and outer casing of battery packs as well as the water content as specified in the field ‘overall composition’ shall be subtracted for the calculation of the recycling efficiency). ( 5 )   Data transferred from Annex V(2). ( 6 )   Calculated according to the formula for RE based on data reported according to Annex V(2). ( 7 )   Calculated according to the formula for R Cd based on data reported according to Annex V(2). ( 8 )   Examples of impurities include plastic, ebonite chips, items/pieces of iron, fibres from electronic scrap, molten aluminium. ( 9 )   Facility carrying out an individual process step. ( 10 )   For step 1 = the same as input into the complete battery recycling process. For subsequent steps = intermediate fractions from the previous process step. ( 11 )   Intermediate fractions = fractions destined for subsequent step(s) in the recycling process. ( 12 )   Resulting from the batteries input (dry mass). ( 13 )   Facility to which the intermediate fraction is handed over or — if the further process step is carried out internally — the same as 1. ( 14 )   Final output fractions accounting for recycling = that will be used for their original purpose or for other purposes without undergoing further treatment, see also examples in Annex I(5). ( 15 )   Elements and compounds if they were component of the batteries input (waste battery). See special provisions and examples in Annex I(5). For cadmium (Cd) in slag see provisions in Annex III(2). Cadmium must be entered as ‘Cd’.

ANNEX VISupplementary provisions

ANNEX VI Reporting on recycling efficiencies for other batteries and accumulators 1. For other batteries and accumulators input into the recycling process the following information shall be reported: Recycling efficiency of a battery recycling process (other batteries) Calendar year     Facility  ( 1 ) Name   Street   City   Country   Contact person   E-mail   Tel.   Description of the complete battery recycling process  ( 2 ) : Input into the complete battery recycling process  ( 3 ) Description of waste batteries and accumulators EWC code (optional) Mass  ( 4 ) Overall composition of input m input t/a Element or compound mass % [t/a]             Elements or components, which are not part of the input fractions         Impurities  ( 7 )     Outer casing of battery pack   Water (H 2 O)   Other   Elements or components, which are part of the input fractions Metals (e.g. Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Co, Li, Ag, Cu, Al)     Mercury (Hg)     Carbon     Plastics     Electrolyte           m input , total  ( 5 )         m output , total  ( 5 )     Recycling efficiency (R E )  ( 6 ) : m output /m input   mass % 2. For the individual steps of the recycling process of other batteries and accumulators the following information shall be reported: Process step 1 Calendar year     Facility  ( 8 ) Name   Street   City   Country   Contact person   E-mail   Tel.   Description of the individual process step: Input (waste batteries or waste batteries fractions)  ( 9 ) Description of input EWC code (optional) Mass   t/a       Output (1)    Intermediate fractions  ( 10 ) Description of fraction EWC code (optional) Mass  ( 11 ) Further treatment Recipient  ( 12 ) Further process step t/a Name             1_1           1_2           1_3           1_4           1_5           1_6           1_7           1_8           1_9           1_10 (2)    Final output fractions accounting for recycling  ( 13 ) Element or compound  ( 14 ) Fraction (non-waste) containing the element or compound Concentration of the element or compound in the fraction Mass of the element or compound, which results from batteries input Fate of the fraction mass % t/a                       m output , total     ( 1 )   Facility treating the waste batteries and accumulators after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling. ( 2 )   Description of the complete battery recycling process, no matter if carried out by one or several facilities (including a description of the individual recycling steps and their output fractions). ( 3 )   Description of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling. ( 4 )   Wet mass of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling (the mass of separated impurities and outer casing of battery packs as well as the water content as specified in the field ‘overall composition’ shall be subtracted for the calculation of the recycling efficiency). ( 5 )   Data transferred from Annex VI(2). ( 6 )   Calculated according to the formula for R E based on data reported according to Annex VI(2). ( 7 )   Examples of impurities include plastic, ebonite chips, items/pieces of iron, fibres from electronic scrap, molten aluminium. ( 8 )   Facility carrying out an individual process step ( 9 )   For step 1 = the same as input into the complete battery recycling process. For subsequent steps = intermediate fractions from the previous process step. ( 10 )   Intermediate fractions = fractions destined for subsequent step(s) in the recycling process. ( 11 )   Resulting from the batteries input (dry mass). ( 12 )   Facility to which the intermediate fraction is handed over or — if the further process step is carried out internally — the same as 1. ( 13 )   Final output fractions accounting for recycling = that will be used for their original purpose or for other purposes without undergoing further treatment, see also examples in Annex I(5). ( 14 )   Elements and compounds if they were component of the batteries input (spent battery). See special provisions and examples in Annex I(5).

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