International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

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� The competent authorities shall ensure that the progress made under such
agreements is examined; and
� In cases of non-compliance with the agreements, Member States shall
implement the relevant provisions of this Directive by legislative, regulatory or
administrative measures.
25.1.2 Non-EU Countries
In North America policy has tended to focus on voluntary programmes and outright
bans, while South America and parts of Asia have developed policy more in line with
the EU. These other non-EU countries are described in more detail in the sections that
follow, though little market information is available.
25.2 Where Has the Policy Been Applied and Why?
As mentioned above, producer responsibility policies covering batteries are in place in
the EU and further afield.
25.2.1 Europe
Like other European compliance directives of this kind, the Batteries Directive serves
the dual purpose of promoting better quality of life through a cleaner environment,
while improving the European economy by standardizing technical manufacturing and
marketing practices among European member states. Producer responsibility policies
have been required for batteries because the levels of hazardous materials contained
within them have historically been substantial.
In landfills heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead have the potential to
leach into soil, groundwater or surface water and when incinerated, some heavy
metals such as mercury may vaporise and escape into the air, while cadmium and
lead may typically remain in bottom ash. It is estimated that in 2002 46% of portable
batteries sold in the EU 15 that year were disposed of in landfill or incinerated. 534
Cadmium is a toxic and carcinogenic substance. The International Agency for
Research on Cancer has identified cadmium as a known human carcinogen. Mercury
is known for a variety of documented, significant adverse impacts on human health
and the environment. Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic, especially to the
developing nervous system. The Swedish Government has recently announced that it
will introduce a blanket ban on mercury, meaning that no products containing
mercury may be placed on the Swedish market from June 2009. Lead is toxic to
humans above certain concentrations and continued or acute over exposure can
cause severe and cumulative health problems. 535
534 Bio Intelligence Service (2003) Impact Assessment on Selected Policy Options for Revision of the
Battery Directive, Final Report for EC, July 2003.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/batteries/pdf/eia_batteries_final.pdf
535 EC (2003) Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Batteries and Accumulators
and Spent Batteries and Accumulators – Extended Impact Assessment, Commission Staff Working
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes