Batteries in Spain

Last Updated:	2008-07-23
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Introduction

Spain has transposed the EU Battery Directive (Directive 2006/66 of 6 September 2006) through the Royal Decree on batteries and accumulators and the environmental management of their residues (the “Decree“). The Decree was adopted on 1 February 2008, and it will enter into force on 26 September 2008. The Spanish Ministry of Environment and the competent authorities of the autonomous regions are responsible for administering and enforcing the Decree.  In accordance with an amendment to the Battery Directive, the Decree provides that batteries and accumulators that do not meet the applicable requirements must not be placed on the market after 26 September 2008.

The Decree applies to all batteries and accumulators placed on the Spanish market, regardless of their shape, volume, weight, material composition or use, subject to limited exceptions.

The Decree prohibits the placing on the market of all batteries or accumulators, whether or not incorporated into appliances, that contain more than 0,0005% of mercury by weight and portable batteries or accumulators, including those incorporated into appliances, that contain more than 0,002% of cadmium by weight.  The exemptions set forth in the Decree are identical to the exemptions set forth in the EU Battery Directive.

Further, the Decree requires that manufacturers design appliances to make batteries and accumulators easily removable with instructions for the end-user on how they can be safely removed. Batteries must be labeled to show the “crossed-out wheeled waste bin” symbol, the battery’s capacity (for portable and automotive batteries), and, in some cases, for heavy metal content.

Under the Decree, battery distributors in Spain are required to take back waste batteries from consumers at no extra charge. Treatment and recycling schemes must be established by 26 September 2009. A binding recycling target for general consumer batteries of 50% must be met by September 2011.

The Decree requires also that producers and importers of batteries and appliances incorporating batteries finance the costs of collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries and accumulators, as well as the costs of public information campaigns on the treatment and recycling.  They must also register with the competent authorities in the autonomous regions in which they are located.

Spain intends to apply the Decree in accordance with the Commissions Frequently Asked Questions document.