The EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 entered into force on 17 August 2023 and has applied fully since 18 February 2024, replacing the 2006 Batteries Directive. It covers every battery placed on the EU market, imported batteries included, across the whole life cycle — from raw material sourcing and production to use and end-of-life recycling.
Carbon footprint, recycled content, hazardous substance limits, recycling efficiency, performance and durability — all mandatory together, not one stage at a time.
The battery passport is set out in Article 77 — the first digital product passport the EU actually enforces, earlier and more concrete than ESPR's product-group passports.
Manufacturers, importers and distributors all carry duties. Chinese exporters must prepare passport data and carbon footprint records — without them, importers cannot place the batteries on the market.
The battery passport is mandatory from 18 February 2027 for these three battery types
Electric vehicle batteries, including traction packs for light electric vehicles. One unique identifier per battery, reachable via the QR code on the casing.
Batteries for light means of transport (LMT) — e-bikes, e-scooters and similar. Export volumes are growing fast, making this the first deadline many companies hit.
Industrial batteries above 2 kWh, including energy storage systems. Beyond the passport, these also need a carbon footprint declaration.
Portable batteries and SLI batteries (used for starting, lighting and ignition) are outside the passport mandate, but still subject to the Regulation's carbon footprint, recycled content and labelling requirements. Duties fall on manufacturers, importers and distributors alike.
Obligations phase in — the passport is the last and hardest deadline
Replaces the 2006 Batteries Directive; carbon footprint, recycled content and due diligence duties roll out on a fixed schedule.
Electric vehicle batteries must file a full life-cycle carbon footprint declaration, third-party verified.
Industrial batteries above 2 kWh, including energy storage, come under the carbon footprint declaration.
EV, LMT (e-bikes, e-scooters and similar) and industrial batteries above 2 kWh must each carry a passport, reachable via the QR code on the casing.
On recycled content, reporting starts in August 2028 and minimum content requirements from August 2031. The exact dates for the carbon footprint requirements depend on the EU delegated acts.
Battery passport, carbon footprint declaration and supply chain due diligence form the backbone of compliance
A unique identifier per battery, reachable through the QR code on the casing. Seven data groups: general information and labelling, carbon footprint, supply chain due diligence, material composition, circularity and resource efficiency, performance and durability, and recycled content — opened in tiers to the public, manufacturers, supply chain partners and authorities.
Full life-cycle carbon footprint calculated under the EU methodology and third-party verified. Performance classes apply from August 2026; maximum carbon footprint thresholds from February 2028.
Companies must adopt and disclose a due diligence policy covering cobalt, natural graphite, lithium, nickel and their chemical compounds. Originally applying from 18 August 2025, postponed to 18 August 2027 by (EU) 2025/1561.
From scoping to a live passport, across the whole compliance chain
Four steps from scoping to a live battery passport
Identify battery type, applicable duties and their mandatory deadlines
Design passport fields, carbon footprint collection forms and ownership
Complete carbon footprint calculation, third-party verification and the due diligence policy
Generate unique identifiers and QR carriers, integrate with products and maintain them
Leave your details to get a battery applicability check and a passport data field checklist