By now any business who placed batteries for the first time on the UK market in 2009 should have registered as a battery producer – and the first deadline for submitting batteries data for 2009 was 31 January 2010.

Both actions are new responsibilities under the Waste Batteries & Accumulators Regulations that came into force in 2009. The regulations set out how all types of waste batteries and re-chargeable batteries are collected, treated and recycled in the UK.

Around 700 million batteries, which can contain substances harmful to the environment such as cadmium, are landfilled in the UK each year - and just 3% of the 30,000 tonnes of portable batteries that are sold onto the UK market annually are currently recycled.

Bob Mead, the Environment Agency's Batteries Project Manager, said: “Large producers, who account for some 98% of the battery market, have responded well to calls to prepare for the new regulations but many small producers have yet to register.

“Ensuring that portable batteries are correctly disposed of and their component parts, such as their metal casings, are re-used is good news for the environment. But, looking after the environment is a shared responsibility and we need all types of businesses to get involved.

"My message to all those who manufacture, import or sell batteries, or products containing batteries, is to check if you are a producer. If you are, it is your responsibility to register as a matter of urgency. It is easy to register and supply your information online so you comply with the regulations.”

Businesses are classed as a battery producer under the regulations if they put batteries on the UK market for the first time. This might be because they manufacture batteries, import batteries or products containing batteries, or in any other way sell batteries on the UK market for the first time. Generally, businesses would not be classed as a battery producer if they buy batteries from another UK supplier.

To help businesses prepare for the new regulations, the Environment Agency has worked closely with industry, trade associations, the waste management industry and trade media. Guidance and updates for business have been published on the Environment Agency’s and Netregs’s websites. Leaflets and regular information bulletins have also been issued.

To find out if you are a producer, what type of batteries are included in the rules, whether you are a small or large producer, how to register as a producer and other things you may need to do to comply with the regulations, visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/batteries.

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Media enquiries: Environment Agency National Press Office on 0207 863 8617 or outside normal office hours, please contact the National Duty Press Officer on 07798 882 092.

Notes to editors:

To arrange an interview with Bob Mead please contact the National Press Office

The Environment Agency’s 3-step guide to complying with the Batteries Directive

Step 1 - Be ready with the information you need to supply
Get together the information you need to have on hand when you go on line to register. This information is:
• your contact details, your company’s registered address/es, the type of organisation you are (e.g.) sole trader, partnership, registered company)
• your UK Standard Industrial Classification - (we provide a link to the list of codes if you don’t know yours)
• an electronic copy of your company or partnership registration certificate
• the total weight of portable batteries you placed on the market between 5 May and 31 December 2009. There is more information below on exactly how to report this amount (e.g. recording the chemical components, tonnage, and batteries inside products). This information is required for step 3. If this is going to take more time to gather, please carry out step 2 at the earliest date and you can complete step 3 later on, as long as it is done by 31 January.

Step 2 - Go online to register
• Go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/batteries to register. This web page will take you through to our National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD) . You must first insert your basic details to enable you to register.
• Wait for the note saying ‘approved’ to appear. This means your information has gone through correctly and you are now registered as a producer.

Step 3 - Provide us with your battery data and pay the small producer charge
• You do not necessarily need to do this step at the same time as registering, but it must be done by 31 Jan 2010.
• Here you need to input the amount of batteries you have placed on the market. You need to log back in to the system by stating your company name and password. You will then be prompted to give us information on the weights and types of batteries you placed on the market between 5 May and 31 December 2009.
• Before you can submit the data you will have to pay the £30 small producer charge. This must be done by credit card over the phone. The system will tell you the telephone number to call and the information you will require.
• When you have completed the payment you will be able to input your battery data as requested. If you need further advice please call us on 08708 506 506.

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