Towards a sustainable batteries industry in the EU

Position paper – May 2021

The European Commission has published a proposal for a new regulatory framework for batteries and waste batteries, aiming to establish minimum sustainability requirements for all batteries placed on the EU internal market. The proposals aim to increase the resilience of the EU battery supply chain by promoting the circular economy, and to reduce environmental and social impacts at all stages of the life cycle of batteries.

The EESC supports the proposed measures, as they will strengthen the functioning of the internal market through a common set of rules in many key sustainability aspects, such as the responsible sourcing of raw materials, content of recycled materials, carbon footprint and labelling. They would facilitate achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and also establish a blueprint for further sustainable product initiatives. However, the EESC calls for more precise and workable governance instruments to implement the new regulation, with the involvement of all stakeholders.