Batteries and Accumulators

Batteries Regulations

Members of the Public

Waste batteries and accumulators (rechargeable batteries) can be returned free of charge to retailers that sell equivalent batteries. Examples of retailers may include supermarkets, electronics and mobile stores, motor factors, hardware and DIY stores.  Alternatively, they can be brought to authorised collection points, including Fingal County Council recycling centres.

Members of the public should not place batteries in household waste or recycling bins. Instead, batteries should be collected separately and returned for recycling through a retailer or authorised collection point. No purchase is required when returning waste batteries to a retailer.

 

Fingal County Council recycling centres include:

  • Coolmine Recycling Centre

Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15

Eircode: D15 F7X9

Tel:(01) 890 5986

 

  • Estuary Recycling Centre

Swords, beside Swords Business Park

Eircode: K67 V003

Tel:(01) 890 5985

 

Further information on batteries can be found at https://www.weeeireland.ie/

 

What are my obligations as a Retailer?

A retailer is considered a business that sells batteries or battery-powered products to consumers or other end users. Retailers that sell batteries must:

  • Accept waste batteries of a similar type to those they sell, such as AA, AAA, C, D and PP3 batteries.
  • Provide a free take-back service for waste batteries on a one-for-zero basis (no purchase necessary).
  • Display the required battery recycling information notices for customers.
  • Ensure waste batteries are transferred only to an authorised collector or approved compliance scheme.
  • Register with an approved compliance scheme (ERP Ireland are the only available approved compliance scheme in Ireland). Retailers selling only portable batteries are generally exempt from registration requirements.

 

ERP http://www.erp-recycling.ie/

For more information, visit https://www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/waste/weee/information-for-distributors-of-eee-and-batteries/

 

Who is a producer of batteries?

A producer is any business that first places batteries, accumulators, or battery-containing products on the Irish market. This includes manufacturers, importers, own-brand sellers, and online sellers. The different types of producers are as follows:

  • Manufacturer Producer – Manufactures and sells batteries or battery-containing products under its own brand in Ireland.
  • Importer Producer – Imports batteries or products containing batteries (e.g. laptops, power tools, EVs) and places them on the Irish market
  • Own-Brand / Private Label Producer – Sells batteries under its own brand name, regardless of who manufactured them.
  • Distance Seller / Online Producer – Sells batteries or battery-containing products directly to Irish customers through online or distance-selling channels.
  • Retailer Acting as a Producer – A retailer becomes a producer where it imports batteries directly or sells them under its own brand.

 

What are my responsibilities as a producer?

  • Register annually with Producer Register Limited (PRL) - https://www.producerregister.ie/. 
  • Report the types and quantities of batteries placed on the Irish market.
  • Finance the collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries.
  • Join an approved compliance scheme.
  • Provide take-back arrangements for waste batteries.
  • Ensure correct labelling and marking of batteries.
  • Provide information to end-users on battery disposal and recycling.
  • Comply with applicable battery regulations and product requirements.

 

Further information for producers can be found at: 

https://www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/waste/weee/information-for-eee-producers/

https://www.weeeireland.ie/producers/obligations-regulations/