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

26.2 Reasons for the Policy
According to the German Government 33,000 tonnes of portable batteries are sold in
Germany each year, of which 85% are non-rechargeable batteries (primary) and 15%
are rechargeable batteries (accumulators). 560 Until April 1998 the retailers in
Germany were taking back batteries containing toxic substances according to a
voluntary agreement. Due to the fact that under the voluntary agreement only one
fifth of the sold batteries were collected, the “Federal Decree Regarding the Collection
and Disposal of Used Batteries and Accumulators – BattV” was implemented in
Germany transposing the EU Battery Directive.
The aim of the decree is to reduce the amount of hazardous substances in waste
batteries in the following manner:
479
� Batteries containing certain hazardous substances may not be put into
circulation;
� Used batteries are taken back and recycled safely and properly in accordance
with the provisions of the German Waste Management and Recycling Act, or
non-recyclable batteries are disposed of in a manner compatible with public
health; and
� Batteries should be manufactured in such a way to make them reusable and
technically long-lasting.
In its second programme on the reduction of environmental pollution caused by
batteries, the German Government aimed at a collection rate of 60% by the end of
2006, 561 particularly through improved information to the public. 562
The timetable for the introduction of the policy was as follows:
� 18 th March 1991: EU Directive 91/157/EEC regarding batteries and
accumulators containing hazardous substances; 563
� Until 1998 in Germany: Voluntary agreement on the take back of batteries;
� 27 th March 1998: German Battery Decree serves to implement the Council
Directive 91/157/EEC the Commission Directive 93/86/EEC; 564
560 EUWID from 06.005.2003, p. 17.
561 Compare, the adapted collection quota according to the proposed new Battery regulation in
Germany of only 35%, in Chapter 1.1.11.
562 Programm der Bundesregierung zur Verminderung der Umweltbelastungen aus Batterien und
Altbatterien entsprechend Art. 6 der Richtlinie 91/157/EWG über gefährliche Stoffe enthaltene
Batterien und Akkumulatoren, 30. April 2003.
563 OJ EC No. L 78, p. 38.
564 Commission Directive 93/86/EEC of 4 October 1993, by way of amendment of the Council
Directive 91/157/EEC regarding batteries and accumulators containing hazardous substances in
technical progress, OJ EC No. L 264 p. 51,
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes