--- title: What are the implications for manufacturers of electronic devices that contain batteries? description: Obligations on battery producers are often underestimated, with businesses tending to consider that simple WEEE compliance is sufficient. This is absolutely not the case. Battery compliance pre-dates the requirement for WEEE compliance as we explain below… image: https://news.weeelogic.com/hubfs/implications-manufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries-1.jpg --- [![WEEE-logic-logo-header.png](https://news.weeelogic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WEEE-logic-logo-header.png?width=400&height=102&name=WEEE-logic-logo-header.png "WEEE-logic-logo-header.png")](https://news.weeelogic.com/) - [Home](http://www.weeelogic.com/) - [About Us](http://www.weeelogic.com/about-us/) - [Services](http://www.weeelogic.com/our-services/) - [Legal services](http://www.weeelogic.com/legal-services/) - [WEEE country profile](http://www.weeelogic.com/weee-obligation-free-country-profile/) - [Battery country profile](http://www.weeelogic.com/battery-obligation-free-country-profile/) - [European Compliance Solutions](http://www.weeelogic.com/european-compliance-solutions/) - [Take-back and recycling programmes](http://www.weeelogic.com/take-back-and-recycling-programmes/) - [Consulting](http://www.weeelogic.com/consulting/) - [Network](http://www.weeelogic.com/network-of-compliance-schemes/) - [News](https://news.weeelogic.com/) - [Contact](http://www.weeelogic.com/contact-our-team/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/WEEElogic) - [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/weeelogic-gmbh) [![WEEE-logic-logo-header.png](https://news.weeelogic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WEEE-logic-logo-header.png?width=400&height=102&name=WEEE-logic-logo-header.png "WEEE-logic-logo-header.png")](https://news.weeelogic.com/) - [Home](http://www.weeelogic.com/) - [About Us](http://www.weeelogic.com/about-us/) - [Services](http://www.weeelogic.com/our-services/) - [Legal services](http://www.weeelogic.com/legal-services/) - [WEEE country profile](http://www.weeelogic.com/weee-obligation-free-country-profile/) - [Battery country profile](http://www.weeelogic.com/battery-obligation-free-country-profile/) - [European Compliance Solutions](http://www.weeelogic.com/european-compliance-solutions/) - [Take-back and recycling programmes](http://www.weeelogic.com/take-back-and-recycling-programmes/) - [Consulting](http://www.weeelogic.com/consulting/) - [Network](http://www.weeelogic.com/network-of-compliance-schemes/) - [News](https://news.weeelogic.com/) - [Contact](http://www.weeelogic.com/contact-our-team/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/WEEElogic) - [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/weeelogic-gmbh) # What are the implications for manufacturers of electronic devices that contain batteries? ![implications-manufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries-1.jpg](https://news.weeelogic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/implications-manufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries-1.jpg?width=600&name=implications-manufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries-1.jpg "implications-manufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries-1.jpg")   **There are clear requirements relating to the presence of batteries in EEE devices:** ***Batteries placed on the market in European member states shall be compliant with the specific battery directive. OEMs, manufacturers, importers, distributors and e-commerce businesses shall ensure when arranging WEEE compliance that batteries are also compliant.*** **Obligations on battery producers are often underestimated, with businesses tending to consider that simple WEEE compliance is sufficient. This is absolutely not the case. Battery compliance pre-dates the requirement for [WEEE compliance](https://news.weeelogic.com/all-about-weee-compliance)as we explain below…** ## **Batteries and accumulators contribute significantly to the Internet of Things** Our world is nowadays full of **connected devices**, giving rise to the Internet of Things (IoT) with many developments to come such as ‘connected’ clothing, electric cars, ‘connected glasses’, advanced smartphones, etc. Our **devices - large, small or miniaturized** – are designed to carry as much technology and intelligence as possible but still need electricity to work and perform their functions. Although sources of electricity are expanding thanks to **renewable energies** such as solar energy, our economy still relies on **power systems and batteries** to assure the autonomy of the many devices and equipment we use every day. Energy storage system technology evolves constantly to make **batteries and accumulators** more efficient as well as reducing their size, from lead-acid to alkaline, nickel-zinc to nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride  to lithium and lithium ion batteries. Depending on the industry application, the performance requirements, battery autonomy and miniaturization, **battery manufacturers** have to adapt to the specific needs of **industry and OEMs**.   [![download-ebook-weee-compliance-europe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2220369/549b0f69-bbd1-4132-9662-19e64e96832b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2220369/549b0f69-bbd1-4132-9662-19e64e96832b)   ## **Impact of the presence of batteries at WEEE treatment stage** During **end-of-life management**, notably within treatment and recycling sites, the presence of **batteries and accumulators** complexifies the treatment, depollution, dismantling and **recycling of devices**. Although **treatment operations** are carried out in state-of-the-art facilities, the sheer variety of materials can compromise compliance. **Lithium batteries** are an explosion risk when shredded or through leakage due to damage. During the last 5 to 10 years, many fires have occurred at **treatment and recycling centers** dealing with large quantities of lithium batteries. Treatment centers cannot always extract 100% of the batteries concealed in the thousands of **devices** discarded every day and a small quantity will always go through the shredding process, increasing fire risk.   ## **Implications for OEMs, importers and e-commerce platforms in terms of their statutory obligations?** In the early 90’s, the **EU issued a specific directive relating to batteries (and accumulators)** in order to reduce the production of certain types of potentially **dangerous batteries (hazardous materials)** as well as to set the rules for fair and **environmentally-friendly treatment of waste batteries**. The directive prohibits specific materials when placing **new battery** **types** on the market and sets targets for member states with regard to **collection** rates as well as **treatment and recycling requirements**. [**Obligations under the battery directive**](http://www.weeelogic.com/battery-obligation-free-country-profile/) are independent from **WEEE directive obligations** although they are similar in terms of the administrative and financial requirements. **New batteries or accumulators** placed in a **new device** must be reported to the **authorities** and this contributes to financing of the collection and treatment of equivalent **end of life batteries** and accumulators, as with **Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)**. **Battery and accumulator producers** are required to register in each country where they sell, to report quantities and weights placed on the market and to finance the compliant treatment of equivalent end-of-life batteries and accumulators. #### **Summary** **Batteries and accumulators** can be distributed in 2 different ways: - Directly integrated and sold with the **device or equipment** The **manufacturer or OEM** integrating the battery or accumulator within the device assumes the responsibility to establish **battery compliance** as well as [**WEEE compliance**](https://news.weeelogic.com/advantages-weee-compliance-recycling). - Sold independently in stores or on the web as a consumable or replacement product The company which first places the battery or accumulator on the **national market** is required to establish battery compliance. As a result, companies selling **devices with accumulators** (smartphones, laptops, tablets, watches, etc.) or **batteries** (remote controls, alarms, watches, gaming, toys, etc.) will need to meet two sets of  compliance requirements: - **WEEE obligations** - **Battery obligations** In order to support companies with these requirements, [**compliance schemes**](https://news.weeelogic.com/producer-compliance-scheme-key-points) exist to provide appropriate services. Where multiple compliance requirements need to be established in multiple countries simultaneously, it is possible to merge compliance into a **one-stop solution or compliance and recycling hub**.   [![download-ebook-weee-compliance-europe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2220369/549b0f69-bbd1-4132-9662-19e64e96832b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2220369/549b0f69-bbd1-4132-9662-19e64e96832b)   Romain Letenneur ### **Share this post** [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.weeelogic.com%2Fmanufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.weeelogic.com%2Fmanufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.weeelogic.com%2Fmanufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.weeelogic.com%2Fmanufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=What%20are%20the%20implications%20for%20manufacturers%20of%20electronic%20devices%20that%20contain%20batteries%3F) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fnews.weeelogic.com%2Fmanufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fnews.weeelogic.com%2Fmanufacturers-electronic-devices-batteries%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) [![WEEE-save-you-time](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2220369/d49a0366-d4b3-4a46-ac21-4001becc3436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2220369/d49a0366-d4b3-4a46-ac21-4001becc3436) ### Don't miss any news ! ### Recent Posts [![WEEE-logic-logo-header.png](https://news.weeelogic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WEEE-logic-logo-header.png?width=400&height=102&name=WEEE-logic-logo-header.png "WEEE-logic-logo-header.png")](https://news.weeelogic.com/) WEEElogic The European compliance take-back and recycling hub. ### Our services - [Legal services](http://www.weeelogic.com/legal-services/) - [European Compliance Solutions](http://www.weeelogic.com/european-compliance-solutions/) - [Take-back and recycling programmes](http://www.weeelogic.com/take-back-and-recycling-programmes/) - [Consulting](http://www.weeelogic.com/consulting/) - [Privacy policy (german)](http://www.weeelogic.com/datenschutzerklarung/) © 2026 Copyright ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=5918266&fmt=gif)