This is stated on the European Commission’s website, reports Ukrinform.

The European Commission explains that the new rules are aimed at creating a “recycling economy”, that is, the conversion of used batteries into new ones.

The regulation will apply to all batteries, including those used in electric cars, electric bicycles, electric mopeds and electric scooters.

A target was set for manufacturers: 63% of batteries by 2027 and 73% by the end of 2030 should be made from recycled materials.

The requirements for vehicle batteries are lower: 51% at the end of 2028 and 61% at the end of 2031.

The regulation also sets a mandatory percentage for the recovery of lithium from spent batteries at 50% by the end of 2027 and 80% after four years.

Minimum recycled content levels for industrial and electric vehicle batteries are 16% for cobalt, 85% for lead, 6% for lithium and 6% for nickel. Batteries must have documentation of the recycled content.

Additionally, by 2027, portable batteries built into devices should be removable and replaceable.

Euronews writes that this rule will affect smartphone manufacturers. Currently, most gadgets are produced with sealed batteries – it is difficult and expensive to replace them, so it is easier to buy a new smartphone.

That’s why more than 150 million smartphones are thrown away every year. The paper states that making it easier to replace batteries can stop this flow of e-waste.