European Union sets mandatory battery recycling targets

The European Union has established mandatory targets for the recovery of valuable raw materials from battery waste to reduce dependence on third-party suppliers and mitigate environmental impacts. Key materials targeted include lithium, cobalt, nickel, and lead.

Starting August 18, 2028, certain batteries must be supplied with documentation specifying the proportion of recycled cobalt, lithium, nickel, and lead used. Requirements will tighten in 2031 for industrial, electric vehicle, and automotive batteries (capacity > 2 kWh), mandating minimum recycled content levels: at least 16% cobalt, 85% lead, 6% lithium, and 6% nickel.

By 2036, these minimum requirements will increase to 26% cobalt, 85% lead, 12% lithium, and 15% nickel. These measures aim to address the environmental and human rights challenges associated with primary mining, such as lithium extraction in Australia and Chile, and cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.