Duties according to the BattG
The BattG states that manufacturers have certain obligations towards consumers in terms of labelling and providing information:
Labelling obligations
Manufacturers and importers shall visibly, legibly and indelibly mark portable, automotive or industrial batteries placed on the market with the following items:
- Manufacturer's brand;
- On portable and automotive batteries, the indication of the capacity and, in the case of automotive batteries, also the cold-start capacity;
- In addition the chemical symbol of the listed hazardous substances if the limit value in the battery is exceeded: Mercury (Hg) above 0.0005%, Cadmium (Cd) above 0.002%, Lead (Pb) above 0.004%.
Notification obligations
Dealers and distributors must inform their end customers of the following points:
- Free return option of spent batteries at the retailer;
- Legal obligation for end-users to return spent batteries;
- Meaning of the symbol of the "crossed-out bin" and the three hazardous substances signs under the bin.
Retailers: The information must be clearly visible, legible, and placed in the immediate visual range of the main customer flow on pictorial and written panels.
Distance selling market: The information must be placed on the respective distribution medium or enclosed in written form with the product in the consignment of goods.
Obligations to give information
Manufacturers of batteries and accumulators are obliged to inform end-users of the following:
- Batteries can be returned free of charge after use at the retail shop;
- Waste prevention measures and measures to avoid littering;
- The possibilities of preparing waste batteries for reuse;
- The possible effects of the substances contained in batteries on the environment and human health, in particular on the risks associated with the handling of batteries containing lithium; and
- The importance of separate collection and recycling of spent batteries for the environment and human health.
Sample text for fulfilling the duty to provide information pursuant to BattG
Below you will find a sample for the fulfillment of the information obligations according to §18 or §18 BattG. Please note that this is only a sample and does not replace legal advice in individual cases.
The symbol of the "crossed-out bin" means that you are legally obliged to dispose of the marked products separately from unsorted municipal waste. Disposal via household waste, such as the residual waste bin or the yellow bin, is prohibited. Avoid misdirected waste by disposing of it correctly at the special collection and return points. Addresses of free drop-off points can be obtained from your city or local government.
Avoid waste generation from spent batteries where possible. When making your choice, please look for rechargeable batteries or batteries with longer life. Please avoid littering public spaces by disposing of batteries correctly rather than carelessly leaving them lying around.
Please consider ways to reuse the battery instead of disposing of it, for example by reconditioning or repairing the battery.
Batteries can contain hazardous chemical substances that pollute the environment and endanger the health of humans and animals. In particular, care should be taken when handling batteries containing lithium, as these can also easily ignite and cause fires if not handled properly.
Batteries and accumulators that are contained in electrical appliances and can be removed without being destroyed must be disposed of separately from the latter.
BattG registration number (optional information)
We are registered as a manufacturer of batteries and/or accumulators with registration number DExxxxxxxx at stiftung elektro-altgeräte register, Nordostpark 72, 90411 Nürnberg.
Collection and recovery rates (optional information)
Under the Battery Directive, EU Member States are obliged to collect data on old batteries and to transmit this data to the European Commission. You can find more information on this on the BMUV website (German only).