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Home | News & events | Legal updates | Batteries now included

Batteries now included

04 February 2010

Over the last week you may already have seen your local supermarket displaying a plastic recycling bin for used batteries.

From 1 February 2010, distributors selling more than 32kg of portable batteries a year are required to take back used batteries from the public free of charge.

Businesses are 'distributors' for the purpose of these regulations if they sell more than 32kg of portable batteries to the public or other businesses in store, over the internet, or via mail order.

Portable batteries include AA/AAA cells, button cells, mobile phone batteries and laptop batteries. Products that use portable batteries include toys, cameras, watches and electric toothbrushes.

Distributors fulfilling the criteria will have to:

• provide customers with information about their take back facility
• take back all types of portable batteries, not just the ones they sell
• provide the take back facility free of charge to the public, regardless of whether they purchased the goods from that particular retailer in the first place

If you sell fewer than 32kg of portable batteries per year and the batteries you sell are only in equipment, you do not need to offer the take back facility.

If you place batteries on the UK market for the first time – i.e. you have not bought them from another UK supplier – then you may also be classed as a 'producer' and you will have additional responsibilities.

For guidance on the regulations go to www.berr.gov.uk/files/file51268.pdf or contact the Regulatory Team.

© Shoosmiths. This page is for general information: it is not legal advice. Please read our full terms and conditions for details of the disclaimers and exclusions which apply.

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Get in touch

Caroline Steel

Solicitor
T: 03700 86 3268
I: +44 (0)1604 54 3268
E: caroline.steel@shoosmiths.co.uk