To keep toxic chemicals out of vulnerable ecosystems, and to reduce damage from battery-related fires, a number of states in America have enacted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws targeting batteries that are contained in (or that operate) consumer products.
You may need to act if you produce, manufacture, distribute, sell (or are licensed to sell, etc.) any of the below:
- Rechargeable batteries
- Portable (loose) batteries
- Products containing portable batteries
- Products sold with portable batteries
- Products containing embedded batteries (not easily removed with household tools)
Certain types of batteries, as well as batteries designed for use in specific fields (such as health care), may be exempt from some battery laws.
What States Have Battery EPR Laws in America?
The following states currently have (or are advancing) battery recycling EPR laws for consumer products:
- California
- Minnesota
- New York
- Washington, DC
- Washington (state)
Additional states are also considering battery recycling legislation.
What Do You Need To Do If You Make or Sell Batteries?
Each state has unique laws regarding battery recycling. And obligations vary from state to state.
In some states, producers are required to join a battery stewardship organization that will facilitate compliance with the laws.
In other states, producers do not have to join an organization and can instead choose to submit a plan for individual compliance.
To remain in compliance with various EPR battery laws, you will need to be intimately familiar with each law and monitor frequent changes to laws and regulations. Then, you will need to take the prescribed actions outlined by unique laws and/or regulations in each state.
Or you can work with RLG. Contact us to learn more.
Reverse Logistics Group’s Battery Law Compliance Services
RLG has extensive experience in helping companies comply with battery EPR laws around the globe. We can:
- Determine your legal obligations in each state
- Create a plan to meet those obligations
- Carry out the plan on your behalf
- Monitor laws and implement necessary changes
- Manage data and report performance metrics to you and to authorities
Regulations will go (or have gone) into effect according to various deadlines determined by individual states.
Learn more about how we can help manage your battery obligations.
What’s Next? The Future of Battery EPR in America
As EPR evolves, it is very likely that existing battery recycling laws will be tweaked to resolve unexpected challenges as they arise. That means compliance can change often, sometimes without much fanfare by state agencies. RLG’s policy experts are in regular contact with regulators to track (and prepare our customers for) changes to existing laws.
At the time of this writing, some states are actively crafting new battery EPR legislation. Some lawmakers are in the very beginning process of discussing battery recycling laws behind closed doors. It is anticipated that battery EPR laws will appear with increasing frequency in coming years.
New battery EPR laws will likely differ from existing laws, and our industry experts are closely monitoring and preparing for EPR eventualities.
Contact RLG to learn more about our Horizon Scanning service so that your company can anticipate changes to battery EPR.
How To Simplify Battery EPR Compliance
As a battery producer, you face the onerous task of complying with EPR laws that vary intricately from state to state.
Mistakes have significant consequences – not only in fees and fines, but also in brand reputation. Producers that find themselves on “do not sell” lists will lose valuable revenue. Environmental damage (from battery fires or water contamination) due to improper battery recycling could have much wider negative consequences.
To help battery producers get it right, RLG offers comprehensive services that address every aspect of battery recycling management, from organizing PROs to offering individual consultations.
With RLG in your corner, your communications are centralized to ONE single entity.
Contact Us
To learn more about how RLG can help you meet your battery EPR obligations, or to learn more about EPR through our educational emails, please contact:
Melanie Weitzel
Senior Business Development and Account Manager
melanie.weitzel@rev-log.com
