The rules that apply in Germany
The EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 applies directly, replacing the old Batteries Directive with extended producer responsibility, collection and material recovery targets, recycled-content rules and, from February 2027, a digital battery passport for EV and larger industrial batteries. Germany implements the regulation through national battery law, with producer registration handled by stiftung ear and treatment sites permitted by the federal states.
Europe's largest vehicle producer, with end-of-life volume coming from premium passenger EVs, plug-in hybrids and cell and module production scrap.
What producers and holders must do
Producer responsibility follows whoever placed the battery on the market, but the practical burden often lands on the fleet or workshop holding the retired asset.
- Register with stiftung ear before placing batteries on the German market
- Take back automotive and EV batteries free of charge and pass them to certified treatment facilities
- Keep collection and treatment evidence for authority reporting
- Prepare battery passport data for EV batteries placed on the market from February 2027
Local permitting around Zwickau, Saxony
Operations are subject to German permitting, including the Federal Immission Control Act where applicable, and to the EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, which covers repurposed batteries and producer responsibility. Systems are built to applicable European safety standards.
The document set
Road transport follows ADR, and shipments out of Germany fall under the EU Waste Shipment Regulation. Each consignment carries a dangerous goods declaration, a transporter authorisation, a weighbridge record and a chain-of-custody sheet.
| Document | When | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous goods declaration | Before pickup | UN 3480 / UN 3481 classification and damage status |
| Chain-of-custody sheet | At handover | Links serials to transporter and destination |
| Weighbridge record | At gate-in | Verified mass for certificates and settlement |
| Recovery certificate | After processing | Quantity, recovery per metal and downstream vendors |
Booking a collection in the Zwickau, Saxony catchment
These site-specific notes help collections run on time.
- Only graded modules are accepted.
- Modules need grade reports and traceable serial numbers.
- Finished systems are delivered on scheduled runs.
- Buyers can arrange site visits before purchase.