Battery categories · Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
Five battery categories. Three questions find yours.
Then what it owes, and from when.
The category decides whether a battery needs a passport, a carbon footprint declaration or a removable design, and the producer register asks for it in every country. This check reads the categories in Article 3 and names the article behind each date. Nothing you tick leaves this page.
The check
Three questions at most. Then the duties, article by article.
What the battery powers, what it weighs, then its format or its capacity: the order of the definitions in Article 3. One battery at a time.
Check one batteryIndicative · 3 questions at most
Portable battery
A sealed battery of 5 kg or less, not designed for industrial use, and neither an LMT, an electric vehicle nor an SLI battery.
Article 3(1), point (9) · Register as portable batteries
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Producer registrationSince 18 Aug 2025
In each member state where you first make it available, under “portable batteries”, before you sell there. A battery built into a device or a vehicle counts.
Articles 55(2), 55(3)(c) and 96(2)(c)
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Separate collection symbolSince 18 Aug 2025
On the battery, at least 3% of its largest side. On the packaging, at least 1 × 1 cm, when the battery is too small for it.
Article 13(4)
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Label18 months after the Commission's labelling act
General information on the battery; its capacity if it is rechargeable; its minimum average duration and “non-rechargeable” if not. From 18 Aug 2026 or 18 months after the Commission's labelling act, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 13(1) to (3) and (10)
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QR codeFrom 18 Feb 2027
On the battery, or on its packaging when it is too small, leading to its label information, its EU declaration of conformity and its waste information.
Article 13(6) and (7)
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Battery passportNot for this category
Only LMT batteries, electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries over 2 kWh carry one.
Article 77(1)
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Carbon footprint declarationNot for this category
Article 7 covers electric vehicle batteries, LMT batteries and rechargeable industrial batteries over 2 kWh.
Article 7(1)
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Removable and replaceableFrom 18 Feb 2027
When it is built into a product, the end-user must be able to remove and replace it with tools anyone can buy. Some products are exempt.
Check one product against Article 11
Articles 11(1) to (3) and 96(2)(a)
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Due diligenceFrom 18 Aug 2027
Only for an operator with a net turnover of €40 million or more in the financial year before last, or in a group above it: a policy on how the cobalt, natural graphite, lithium and nickel in its batteries are sourced, verified by a notified body. Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 postponed the date.
Articles 47 and 48
Portable battery of general use
A portable battery, rechargeable or not, made to be interchangeable in a common format: 4.5 V (3R12), button cell, D, C, AA, AAA, AAAA, A23 or 9 V (PP3). The producer register files it as a portable battery.
Article 3(1), point (10) · Register as portable batteries
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Producer registrationSince 18 Aug 2025
In each member state where you first make it available, under “portable batteries”, before you sell there. A battery built into a device or a vehicle counts.
Articles 55(2), 55(3)(c) and 96(2)(c)
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Separate collection symbolSince 18 Aug 2025
On the battery, at least 3% of its largest side. On the packaging, at least 1 × 1 cm, when the battery is too small for it.
Article 13(4)
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Label18 months after the Commission's labelling act
General information on the battery; its capacity if it is rechargeable; its minimum average duration and “non-rechargeable” if not. From 18 Aug 2026 or 18 months after the Commission's labelling act, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 13(1) to (3) and (10)
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QR codeFrom 18 Feb 2027
On the battery, or on its packaging when it is too small, leading to its label information, its EU declaration of conformity and its waste information.
Article 13(6) and (7)
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Battery passportNot for this category
Only LMT batteries, electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries over 2 kWh carry one.
Article 77(1)
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Carbon footprint declarationNot for this category
Article 7 covers electric vehicle batteries, LMT batteries and rechargeable industrial batteries over 2 kWh.
Article 7(1)
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Removable and replaceableFrom 18 Feb 2027
When it is built into a product, the end-user must be able to remove and replace it with tools anyone can buy. Some products are exempt.
Check one product against Article 11
Articles 11(1) to (3) and 96(2)(a)
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Due diligenceFrom 18 Aug 2027
Only for an operator with a net turnover of €40 million or more in the financial year before last, or in a group above it: a policy on how the cobalt, natural graphite, lithium and nickel in its batteries are sourced, verified by a notified body. Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 postponed the date.
Articles 47 and 48
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Minimum performance and durability18 Aug 2028 at the earliest
Values set by a Commission delegated act, button cells excepted. From 18 Aug 2028 or 24 months after that act, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 9
LMT battery (light means of transport)
A sealed battery of 25 kg or less designed to power the traction of wheeled vehicles driven by an electric motor alone or with human power: e-bikes, e-scooters, and type-approved category L vehicles.
Article 3(1), point (11) · Register as LMT batteries
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Producer registrationSince 18 Aug 2025
In each member state where you first make it available, under “LMT batteries”, before you sell there. A battery built into a device or a vehicle counts.
Articles 55(2), 55(3)(c) and 96(2)(c)
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Separate collection symbolSince 18 Aug 2025
On the battery, at least 3% of its largest side. On the packaging, at least 1 × 1 cm, when the battery is too small for it.
Article 13(4)
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Label18 months after the Commission's labelling act
General information on the battery, and its capacity. From 18 Aug 2026 or 18 months after the Commission's labelling act, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 13(1) to (3) and (10)
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QR codeFrom 18 Feb 2027
On the battery, leading to its battery passport.
Article 13(6) and (7)
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Battery passportFrom 18 Feb 2027
An electronic record for each battery, reached through the QR code.
Article 77(1)
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Carbon footprint declaration18 Aug 2028 at the earliest
Per battery model and manufacturing plant. From 18 Aug 2028 or 18 months after the Commission's method and declaration format, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 7(1)(c)
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Removable and replaceableFrom 18 Feb 2027
An independent professional must be able to remove and replace the battery and the cells in it, at any time in the product's life.
Check one product against Article 11
Articles 11(5) and 96(2)(a)
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Due diligenceFrom 18 Aug 2027
Only for an operator with a net turnover of €40 million or more in the financial year before last, or in a group above it: a policy on how the cobalt, natural graphite, lithium and nickel in its batteries are sourced, verified by a notified body. Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 postponed the date.
Articles 47 and 48
SLI battery (starting, lighting and ignition)
Designed to power starting, lighting or ignition in vehicles, other means of transport or machinery. It can also serve auxiliary or backup uses there.
Article 3(1), point (12) · Register as SLI batteries
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Producer registrationSince 18 Aug 2025
In each member state where you first make it available, under “SLI batteries”, before you sell there. A battery built into a device or a vehicle counts.
Articles 55(2), 55(3)(c) and 96(2)(c)
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Separate collection symbolSince 18 Aug 2025
On the battery, at least 3% of its largest side. On the packaging, at least 1 × 1 cm, when the battery is too small for it.
Article 13(4)
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Label18 months after the Commission's labelling act
General information on the battery, and its capacity. From 18 Aug 2026 or 18 months after the Commission's labelling act, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 13(1) to (3) and (10)
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QR codeFrom 18 Feb 2027
On the battery, or on its packaging when it is too small, leading to its label information, its EU declaration of conformity, its waste information and the recovered cobalt, lead, lithium and nickel in it.
Article 13(6) and (7)
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Battery passportNot for this category
Only LMT batteries, electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries over 2 kWh carry one.
Article 77(1)
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Carbon footprint declarationNot for this category
Article 7 covers electric vehicle batteries, LMT batteries and rechargeable industrial batteries over 2 kWh.
Article 7(1)
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Removable and replaceableNot for this category
Article 11 covers portable and LMT batteries only.
Article 11
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Due diligenceFrom 18 Aug 2027
Only for an operator with a net turnover of €40 million or more in the financial year before last, or in a group above it: a policy on how the cobalt, natural graphite, lithium and nickel in its batteries are sourced, verified by a notified body. Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 postponed the date.
Articles 47 and 48
Electric vehicle battery
Designed to power traction in hybrid or electric cars, vans, trucks, buses and trailers (categories M, N and O), or in category L vehicles when it weighs more than 25 kg.
Article 3(1), point (14) · Register as electric vehicle batteries
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Producer registrationSince 18 Aug 2025
In each member state where you first make it available, under “electric vehicle batteries”, before you sell there. A battery built into a device or a vehicle counts.
Articles 55(2), 55(3)(c) and 96(2)(c)
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Separate collection symbolSince 18 Aug 2025
On the battery, at least 3% of its largest side. On the packaging, at least 1 × 1 cm, when the battery is too small for it.
Article 13(4)
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Label18 months after the Commission's labelling act
General information on the battery. From 18 Aug 2026 or 18 months after the Commission's labelling act, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 13(1) to (3) and (10)
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QR codeFrom 18 Feb 2027
On the battery, leading to its battery passport.
Article 13(6) and (7)
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Battery passportFrom 18 Feb 2027
An electronic record for each battery, reached through the QR code.
Article 77(1)
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Carbon footprint declaration12 months after the Commission's method and declaration format
Per battery model and manufacturing plant. From 18 Feb 2025 or 12 months after the Commission's method and declaration format, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 7(1)(a)
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Removable and replaceableNot for this category
Article 11 covers portable and LMT batteries only.
Article 11
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Due diligenceFrom 18 Aug 2027
Only for an operator with a net turnover of €40 million or more in the financial year before last, or in a group above it: a policy on how the cobalt, natural graphite, lithium and nickel in its batteries are sourced, verified by a notified body. Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 postponed the date.
Articles 47 and 48
Industrial battery, more than 2 kWh
Designed for industrial uses, or any other battery over 5 kg that is neither an electric vehicle, an LMT nor an SLI battery. A stationary storage system for a home or the grid is an industrial battery.
Article 3(1), points (13) and (15) · Register as industrial batteries
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Producer registrationSince 18 Aug 2025
In each member state where you first make it available, under “industrial batteries”, before you sell there. A battery built into a device or a vehicle counts.
Articles 55(2), 55(3)(c) and 96(2)(c)
-
Separate collection symbolSince 18 Aug 2025
On the battery, at least 3% of its largest side. On the packaging, at least 1 × 1 cm, when the battery is too small for it.
Article 13(4)
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Label18 months after the Commission's labelling act
General information on the battery. From 18 Aug 2026 or 18 months after the Commission's labelling act, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 13(1) to (3) and (10)
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QR codeFrom 18 Feb 2027
On the battery, leading to its battery passport.
Article 13(6) and (7)
-
Battery passportFrom 18 Feb 2027
An electronic record for each battery, reached through the QR code.
Article 77(1)
-
Carbon footprint declaration18 months after the Commission's method and declaration format
If it is rechargeable, per battery model and manufacturing plant: from 18 Feb 2026 or 18 months after the Commission's method and declaration format, whichever is later. With exclusively external storage, from 18 Aug 2030 at the earliest. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 7(1)(b) and (d)
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Removable and replaceableNot for this category
Article 11 covers portable and LMT batteries only.
Article 11
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Due diligenceFrom 18 Aug 2027
Only for an operator with a net turnover of €40 million or more in the financial year before last, or in a group above it: a policy on how the cobalt, natural graphite, lithium and nickel in its batteries are sourced, verified by a notified body. Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 postponed the date.
Articles 47 and 48
Industrial battery, 2 kWh or less
Designed for industrial uses, or any other battery over 5 kg that is neither an electric vehicle, an LMT nor an SLI battery. A stationary storage system for a home or the grid is an industrial battery.
Article 3(1), points (13) and (15) · Register as industrial batteries
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Producer registrationSince 18 Aug 2025
In each member state where you first make it available, under “industrial batteries”, before you sell there. A battery built into a device or a vehicle counts.
Articles 55(2), 55(3)(c) and 96(2)(c)
-
Separate collection symbolSince 18 Aug 2025
On the battery, at least 3% of its largest side. On the packaging, at least 1 × 1 cm, when the battery is too small for it.
Article 13(4)
-
Label18 months after the Commission's labelling act
General information on the battery. From 18 Aug 2026 or 18 months after the Commission's labelling act, whichever is later. Not adopted yet when we checked, on 11 Nov 2026.
Article 13(1) to (3) and (10)
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QR codeFrom 18 Feb 2027
On the battery, or on its packaging when it is too small, leading to its label information, its EU declaration of conformity and its waste information.
Article 13(6) and (7)
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Battery passportNot for this category
Industrial batteries carry one above 2 kWh only.
Article 77(1)
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Carbon footprint declarationNot for this category
Article 7 covers rechargeable industrial batteries over 2 kWh only.
Article 7(1)
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Removable and replaceableNot for this category
Article 11 covers portable and LMT batteries only.
Article 11
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Due diligenceFrom 18 Aug 2027
Only for an operator with a net turnover of €40 million or more in the financial year before last, or in a group above it: a policy on how the cobalt, natural graphite, lithium and nickel in its batteries are sourced, verified by a notified body. Regulation (EU) 2025/1561 postponed the date.
Articles 47 and 48
- A date the text sets
- On a condition
- Not for this category
Indicative: the battery's technical file decides, not this check. Where a battery fits more than one category, its sustainability and safety requirements are those of the strictest (Article 1(3)). The scope check maps the rest, country by country.
The device that holds the battery is filed apart, in the WEEE stream. Find my WEEE category
9 duties × 6 categories
What each category owes. And from when.
Read down the column of your battery. The check above gives the article and the detail behind each cell.
| Duty | When | Portable | General use | LMT | SLI | Electric vehicle | Industrial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Producer registration | Since 18 Aug 2025 | ||||||
| Separate collection symbol | Since 18 Aug 2025 | ||||||
| Label | 18 months after the Commission's labelling act | ||||||
| QR code | From 18 Feb 2027 | ||||||
| Battery passport | From 18 Feb 2027 | ||||||
| Carbon footprint declaration | Depends on the category | ||||||
| Removable and replaceable | From 18 Feb 2027 | ||||||
| Due diligence | From 18 Aug 2027 | ||||||
| Minimum performance and durability | 18 Aug 2028 at the earliest |
Every category owes producer registration (since 18 Aug 2025) and the separate collection symbol (since 18 Aug 2025). What separates them arrives on 18 Feb 2027: the passport for LMT, electric vehicle and industrial batteries over 2 kWh, and a removable design for portable and LMT batteries, the same day the QR code reaches every battery.
The label and the carbon footprint declaration have no date yet: both wait for an act of the Commission. This is not every article of the regulation. Performance, safety and recycled content rules also depend on the category.
Article 55
The producer register asks for the category. In each country where you sell.
A producer registers in each member state where it first makes a battery available, before selling there, and names the category and the chemistry. A battery built into a device counts, and so does a seller who ships direct to end-users from another country.
What we do with the answer
We prepare and file your battery registration in each country you ship to, under the category the register asks for, and keep it apart from your WEEE and packaging files. Article 11 is checked product by product, in the replaceable batteries article.
Battery EPR, country by countryCheck one product against Article 11
The category is one line of the file. The scope check maps the rest.
Tell us where your company is registered and where you ship. You'll get an indicative map of what you owe, stream by stream and country by country, on screen, before anyone asks you for a card.
Free. No card. A person answers.
shippeu.com is a private service. It is not an authority, a register or a collective scheme.
Figures on this page come from published guidance. Last source review: 11 Nov 2026. Rules change. The scope check is reviewed by a person before any quote.