Situation in the European Community and Germany concerning regulations about used batteries with an outlook on other countries

In 1991 the European Community ‘Batteries and accumulators containing dangerous substances’ has been adopted. It contains stringent requirements (e.g. concentration of mercury and labelling of some specified batteries) and recommendations. The various national governments have to implement the EC Directive to serve as a framework for their national law. In the future, the Battery Ordinance applicable in Germany will have to be seen against the background of the existing Waste Act, the more detailed administration regulations, the new Waste Management Act (to come into force in 1996) and the self-commitment by producers/retailers. The different regulations are briefly described. A short survey of measures taken in other European countries is given.