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.

What are my obligations as a Retailer?

What is a Distributor / Retailer?

A ‘distributor’ is any person that provides electrical equipment, electronic equipment, batteries and/or accumulators on a professional basis to an end-user. However, for the purpose of this page a distributor is referred to as a retailer.

Battery Retailer Registration

• Registration is not required if the retailer only sells portable batteries (AA, AAA, Cell C, Cell D etc.) and no EEE.
• Registration with the approved compliance scheme for EEE also covers batteries provided that this information was made available to the compliance scheme during the registration process.
• Retailers of automotive and/or industrial batteries, who do not sell EEE, must register with an approved compliance schemes (once off, free of charge)

Retailer Waste Battery Obligations

• Retail outlets that sell batteries are required to take waste batteries similar in type to those they supply, even where the person depositing the waste batteries does not purchase a new battery.
• This service must be free of charge to the consumer.
• They must provide conveniently located, appropriate facilities for the collection of waste batteries.
• They must not sell batteries from a ‘producer’ who is not in possession of a valid Certificate of Registration or a valid Certificate of Renewal of Registration from the Producer Register Limited.

Obligations for Retailers of Vape & E-cigarette Devices

• Retailers and Distributors are obliged to take back vape and/or e-cigarette devices on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis in-store or on delivery.
• Retailers can recycle these waste devices in ERP Ireland battery collection units. Contact ERP Ireland here: https://erp-recycling.org/ie/contact/ 

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

Who is considered 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 some responsibilities of 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 (e.g. WEEE Ireland or ERP Ireland).
• 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/