The rapid growth of lithium-ion batteries has transformed transportation, consumer electronics, industrial equipment, and energy storage. As battery use expands, governments and industry stakeholders are placing greater emphasis on safety, sustainability, responsible sourcing, and end-of-life management.

Why Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Needs Attention

Lithium-ion batteries can create serious risks when they are damaged, mishandled, improperly stored, or discarded with ordinary waste. Fires during transportation, waste collection, and building storage have increased awareness of the need for reliable battery designs, appropriate charging systems, clear labeling, and responsible disposal.

Consumer awareness is also important. Lithium batteries now appear in products ranging from electric vehicles and e-bikes to phones, laptops, and small household items. When users do not realize a product contains a battery, it may be placed in household waste, where crushing or puncturing can create a fire hazard.

EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542

The European Union published Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 in July 2023, and it entered into force in August 2023. The regulation applies broadly to batteries placed on the EU market and is intended to improve safety, sustainability, labeling, waste management, and the security of raw-material supply.

Scope of Applications and Battery Sizes

The regulation covers rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, including cells, modules, battery packs, energy-storage systems, electric-vehicle batteries, industrial batteries, portable batteries, starting-lighting-ignition batteries, and batteries used in light means of transport such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

Requirements vary by battery category and capacity. Some of the most extensive obligations apply to batteries exceeding 2 kWh, while other provisions affect portable batteries and smaller products as well.

Replaceable Batteries for Portable Devices

The regulation introduces requirements intended to make batteries in many portable products removable and replaceable. These provisions are expected to influence product design well beyond the EU because manufacturers often prefer consistent product platforms across global markets.

Digital Battery Passports

Electric-vehicle batteries, light-means-of-transport batteries, and qualifying industrial batteries will require digital battery passports. Accessible through a QR code, the passport is designed to make important lifecycle information available, including chemistry, capacity, performance, safety, carbon-footprint, and supply-chain data.

Battery Labeling and Markings

The regulation expands labeling and conformity requirements. Depending on the battery type, compliant labels may need to include:

  • CE marking
  • Manufacturer identification
  • Manufacturing or assembly information
  • Model and serial numbers
  • Battery chemistry
  • Capacity, energy, and voltage
  • Warning and safety information
  • Separate-collection and recycling symbols
  • Applicable chemistry or standards coding

Primary lithium batteries may also require the lithium content to be identified. Exact obligations depend on the battery category and the implementation date of each provision.

Responsible Sourcing

Regulation 2023/1542 places greater focus on the sourcing of battery materials and supply-chain due diligence. Its objectives include reducing environmental harm, discouraging abusive labor practices, and improving transparency around the origin of critical raw materials.

Implementation Timeline

The regulation introduces requirements in phases. Key milestones include provisions related to safety and performance, carbon-footprint declarations, supply-chain due diligence, waste-battery management, battery passports, removability and replaceability, and minimum recycled content. Because dates and applicability can vary by battery type and capacity, manufacturers should review the current regulation and implementation guidance when planning products for the EU market.

What Regulation 2023/1542 Means for OEMs

OEMs should involve their battery suppliers early in the product-development process. Battery selection can affect testing, labeling, documentation, product architecture, transportation compliance, repairability, recycling, and the information that must be maintained throughout a product’s lifecycle.

Companies selling into Europe should also evaluate related safety and environmental requirements, including applicable IEC testing, CE conformity, REACH and RoHS obligations, transportation rules, and product-specific directives. Requirements should be confirmed for each product rather than applied as a single universal checklist.

Partnering for Battery Compliance

With decades of battery-design and manufacturing experience, Excell Battery and Ultralife help OEMs navigate evolving requirements for battery safety, performance, labeling, documentation, packaging, and transportation. Working with an experienced battery partner early can reduce redesigns, improve compliance planning, and support a smoother path to market.

EU Regulation 2023/1542 represents a significant step toward a more circular and responsible battery economy. Although it focuses on the European market, its influence is likely to be global as manufacturers standardize products and supply chains around increasingly rigorous safety and sustainability expectations.