EN
12.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
151/9
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 493/2012
of 11 June 2012
laying down, pursuant to Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council,
detailed rules regarding the calculation of recycling efficiencies of the recycling processes of waste
batteries and accumulators
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
(7) Recyclers
of
waste
batteries
and
accumulators
need
at
least 18 months to adapt their technological processes
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
to the new recycling efficiencies calculation requirements.
Union,
(8) The
measures
provided
for
in
this
Regulation
are
in
Having regard to Directive 2006/66/EC of the European
accordance with the opinion of the Committee estab
Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on
lished by Article 39 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the
batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumu
European Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ),
lators and repealing Directive 91/157/EEC ( 1 ), and in particular
Article 12(6)(a) thereof,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Whereas:
Article 1
(1) Recycling
processes
which,
as
part
of
a
sequence
or
as
standalone processes, recycle waste lead-acid, nickel-
Scope
cadmium and other batteries and accumulators should
This Regulation shall apply to the recycling processes carried
achieve the minimum recycling efficiencies set out in
out to waste batteries and accumulators from 1 January 2014.
Annex III, Part B to Directive 2006/66/EC.
(2) Detailed
rules
supplementing
Annex
III,
Part
B
to
Article 2
Directive 2006/66/EC should be laid down for calcu
Definitions
lating recycling efficiencies.
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions
(3)
It is appropriate to define the recycling process as one
shall apply:
which starts after collection and possible sorting and/or
preparation for recycling of the waste batteries and
accumulators received by a recycling facility and
(1) ‘recycling process’ means any reprocessing operation as
finishes when output fractions are produced to be used
referred to in Article 3(8) of Directive 2006/66/EC which
for their original purpose or for other purposes without
is carried out on waste lead-acid, nickel-cadmium and other
undergoing further treatment and have ceased to be
batteries and accumulators and results in the production of
waste. In order to encourage the improvement of
output fractions as defined in point 5 of this Article. The
existing and development of new recycling and
recycling process does not include sorting and/or prep
treatment technologies, the recycling efficiencies should
aration for recycling/disposal and may be carried out in a
be achieved by each recycling process.
single facility or in several facilities;

(4)
It is necessary to define the preparation for recycling as a
(2) ‘preparation for recycling’ means treatment of waste
preliminary operation prior to recycling in order to
batteries and/or accumulators prior to any recycling
distinguish it from the recycling process of waste
process, which shall, inter alia, include storage, handling,
batteries and accumulators.
dismantling of battery packs or separation of fractions
that are not part of the battery or accumulator itself;
(5)
The recycling efficiencies of the recycling processes of
waste batteries and accumulators should be calculated
by reference to the chemical composition of the input
(3) ‘recycling efficiency’ of a recycling process means the ratio
and output fractions and having regard to the latest
obtained by dividing the mass of output fractions
technical and scientific developments and made publicly
accounting for recycling by the mass of the waste
available.
batteries and accumulators input fraction expressed as a

percentage;
(6) It is necessary to harmonise the information to be
reported by recyclers in order to monitor compliance
(4) ‘input fraction’ means the mass of collected waste batteries
with the recycling efficiency requirements across the
and accumulators entering the recycling process as defined
European Union.
in Annex I;
( 1 ) OJ L 266, 26.9.2006, p. 1.
( 2 ) OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3.

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L 151/10
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.6.2012
(5) ‘output fraction’ means the mass of materials that are
4. Recyclers
shall
report
the
information
shown
in
Annex
IV,
produced from the input fraction as a result of the
Annex V and Annex VI, as applicable, on an annual basis and
recycling process, as defined in Annex I without undergoing
shall send it to the Member State’s competent authorities by no
further treatment, that have ceased to be waste or that will
later than four months from the end of a calendar year
be used for their original purpose or for other purposes, but
concerned. Recyclers shall send their first annual reports no
excluding energy recovery.
later than the 30 April 2015.
Article 3
5. Reporting
on
the
recycling
efficiency
shall
cover
all
indi
vidual steps of recycling and all corresponding output fractions.
Calculation of recycling efficiency
1. The
method
set
out
in
Annex
I
shall
be
used
to
calculate 6. Where
a
recycling
process
is
carried
out
at
more
than
one
the recycling efficiency of a process for recycling waste lead-
facility, the first recycler is responsible for submitting the
acid, nickel-cadmium and other batteries and accumulators.
information required under point 4 to the Member State’s
competent authorities.
2. The method set out in Annex II shall be used to calculate
Article 4
the rate of recycled lead content for any recycling process.
Entry into force
3. The
method
set
out
in
Annex
III
shall
be
used
to
calculate This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its
the rate of recycled cadmium content for any recycling process.
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 11 June 2012.
For the Commission
The President
José Manuel BARROSO

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EN
12.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
151/11
ANNEX I
Method for the calculation of the recycling efficiency of the recycling process of waste batteries and
accumulators
1. The recycling efficiency of a recycling process is calculated as follows:
R E P m output
m input 100, [mass %]
where:
R E
= calculated recycling efficiency of a recycling process for the purpose of Article 12(4) of Directive 2006/66/EC
[in mass %];
m output = the mass of output fractions accounting for recycling per calendar year;
m input = the mass of input fractions entering the battery recycling process per calendar year.
2. The recycling efficiency of a recycling process is calculated separately for the following waste battery types:
— lead-acid batteries and accumulators,
— nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators, and
— other batteries and accumulators.
3. The recycling efficiency is calculated on the basis of the overall chemical composition (at elemental/compound level) of
the input and output fractions. The following applies in respect of the input fraction:
— recyclers shall determine the share of different types of waste battery or accumulator present in an input fraction
by conducting a sorting analysis of the fraction (by continuous or representative sampling),
— the chemical composition of each type of waste battery or accumulator present in the input fraction is determined
on the basis of the chemical composition of new batteries and accumulators when placed on the market or on the
basis of available data of recyclers or on information provided by the battery producers,
— recyclers shall determine the overall chemical composition of the input fraction by applying the chemical
composition analysis to the types of batteries or accumulators present in the input fraction.
4. Emissions to the atmosphere are not accounted for the recycling efficiency.
5. The mass of output fractions accounting for recycling is the mass, on a dry weight basis, of the elements or
compounds contained in fractions resulting from the recycling of waste batteries and accumulators per calendar
year [in tonnes]. The following may be, inter alia, accounted for output fractions:
— the carbon which is actually used as a reducing agent or which is a component of an output fraction of the
recycling process, if it results from the input waste batteries and accumulators, on the condition that it is certified
by an independent scientific authority and made publicly available. The carbon which is used for energy recovery is
not accounted for the recycling efficiency,
— the oxygen, used as an oxidising agent, if it results from the input waste batteries and accumulators and if it is a
component of an output fraction of the recycling process. The oxygen coming from the atmosphere is not
accounted for the recycling efficiency,
— battery and accumulator materials contained in slag suitable and used for recycling purposes as defined in
Article 3(8) of Directive 2006/66/EC other than landfill construction or backfilling operations, provided that
this is in line with national requirements.
6. The mass of input fractions entering the battery recycling process is the mass of collected waste batteries and accumulators
on a dry weight basis entering the recycling process per calendar year [in tonnes], including:
— fluids and acids,
— the mass of external jacket of waste batteries and accumulators,
and excluding:
— the mass of outer casings belonging to battery packs.

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L 151/12
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.6.2012
ANNEX II
Method for the calculation of the rate of recycled lead content
1. The rate of recycled lead content is calculated as follows:
R Pb P m Pb output
m Pb input 100, [mass %]
where:
R Pb
= calculated rate of recycled lead (Pb) from a recycling process for the purpose of Article 12(4) of Directive
2006/66/EC [in mass %];
m Pb output = the mass of Pb in output fractions accounting for recycling is the share of Pb contained in these fractions
which results from the recycling of lead-acid batteries and accumulators per calendar year [in tonnes];
m Pb input = the mass of Pb in the input fraction entering the battery recycling process is defined as the yearly average Pb
content of waste lead-acid batteries and accumulators multiplied by the input mass of lead-acid batteries
and accumulators per calendar year [in tonnes].
2. In the output fraction the lead (Pb) contained in slag at the end of the recycling process is not accounted for the rate
of recycled lead content.
ANNEX III
Method for the calculation of the rate of recycled cadmium content
1. The rate of recycled cadmium content is calculated as follows:
R Cd P m Cd output
m Cd input 100, [mass %]
where:
R Cd
= calculated rate of recycled cadmium (Cd) from a recycling process for the purpose of Article 12(4) of
Directive 2006/66/EC [in mass %];
m Cd output = the mass of Cd in output fractions accounting for recycling is the share of Cd contained in these fractions
which results from the recycling of nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators per calendar year [in
tonnes].
m Cd input = the mass of Cd in the input fraction entering the battery recycling process is defined as the yearly average Cd
content of waste nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators multiplied by the input mass of nickel-
cadmium batteries and accumulators per calendar year [in tonnes].
2. In the output fraction the cadmium (Cd) contained in slag at the end of the recycling process is not accounted for the
rate of recycled cadmium content.

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EN
12.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
151/13
ANNEX IV
Reporting on recycling efficiencies for lead-acid batteries and accumulators
1. For lead-acid batteries and accumulators input into the recycling process the following information shall be reported:
Recycling efficiency of a battery recycling process (lead-acid batteries)
Calendar year
Facility ( 1 )
Name
Street
City
Country
Contact person
E-mail
Tel.
Description of the complete battery recycling process ( 2 ):
Input to the complete battery recycling process ( 3 )
Mass (
Description of waste batteries and
EWC code

4 ) Overall
composition
of
input
m input
accumulators
(optional)
t/a
Element or compound mass
% [t/a]
Elements or components, which are not part of the
input fractions
Impurities ( 8 )
Outer casing of battery pack
Water (H 2 O)
Other
Elements or components, which are part of the input
fractions
Lead (Pb)
Sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 )
Plastics
Other
m input , total ( 5 )
m output , Pb ( 5 )
m output , total ( 5 )
Recycling efficiency (R E ) ( 6 ):
m output /m input
mass %
Degree of recycled Pb (R Pb ) ( 7 ): m Pb output /m Pb input
mass %
Notes:
( 1 ) Facility treating the waste batteries and accumulators after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling.
( 2 ) Description of the complete battery recycling process, no matter if carried out by one or several facilities (including a description of
the individual recycling steps and their output fractions).
( 3 ) Description of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling.
( 4 ) Wet mass of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling (the mass
of separated impurities and outer casing of battery packs as well as the water content as specified in the field ‘overall composition’
shall be subtracted for the calculation of the recycling efficiency).

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L 151/14
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.6.2012
( 5 ) Data transferred from Annex IV(2).
( 6 ) Calculated according to the formula for RE based on data reported according to Annex IV(2).
( 7 ) Calculated according to the formula for R Pb based on data reported according to Annex IV(2).
( 8 ) Examples of impurities include plastic, ebonite chips, items/pieces of iron, fibres from electronic scrap, molten aluminium.
2. For the individual steps of the recycling process of lead-acid batteries and accumulators the following information shall
be reported:
Process step
1
Calendar year
Facility ( 1 )
Name
Street
City
Country
Contact person
E-mail
Tel.
Description of the individual process step:
Input (waste batteries or waste batteries fractions) ( 2 )
Mass
Description of
EWC code
input
(optional)
t/a
Output
(1) Intermediate fractions ( 3 )
Mass (
Recipient (
Description of
EWC code

4 )

5 )
Further
process step
fraction
(optional)
Further treatment
t/a Name
1_1
1_2
1_3
1_4
1_5
1_6
1_7
1_8
1_9
1_10
(2) Final output fractions accounting for recycling ( 6 )
Concentration of the
Mass of the element or
element or compound in compound, which results
Element or
Fraction (non-waste)
the fraction
from batteries input
compound (
containing the element or
Fate of the fraction

7 )
compound
mass % t/a

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EN
12.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
151/15
Concentration of the
Mass of the element or
element or compound in compound, which results
Element or
Fraction (non-waste)
the fraction
from batteries input
compound (
containing the element or
Fate of the fraction

7 )
compound
mass % t/a
m output , Pb
m output , total
Notes:
( 1 ) Facility carrying out an individual process step.
( 2 ) For step 1 = the same as input into the complete battery recycling process.
For subsequent steps = intermediate fractions from the previous process step.
( 3 ) Intermediate fractions = fractions destined for subsequent step(s) in the recycling process.
( 4 ) Resulting from the batteries input (dry mass).
( 5 ) Facility to which the intermediate fraction is handed over or — if the further process step is carried out internally — the same as 1.
( 6 ) Final output fractions accounting for recycling = that have ceased to be waste and that will be used for their original purpose or for
other purposes without undergoing further treatment, but excluding energy recovery. See also examples in Annex I(5).
( 7 ) Elements and compounds if they were component of the batteries input (waste battery). See special provisions and examples in
Annex I(5). For lead (Pb) in slag see the provision in Annex II(2). Lead must be entered as ‘Pb’.

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L 151/16
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.6.2012
ANNEX V
Reporting on recycling efficiencies for nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators
1. For nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators input into the recycling process the following information shall be
reported:
Recycling efficiency of a battery recycling process (nickel-cadmium batteries)
Calendar year
Facility ( 1 )
Name
Street
City
Country
Contact person
E-mail
Tel.
Description of the complete battery recycling process ( 2 ):
Input into the complete battery recycling process ( 3 )
Mass (
Description of waste batteries and
EWC code

4 ) Overall
composition
of
input
m input
accumulators
(optional)
t/a
Element or compound mass
% [t/a]
Elements or components, which are not part of the
input fractions
Impurities ( 8 )
Outer casing of battery pack
Water (H 2 O)
Other
Elements or components, which are part of the input
fractions
Cadmium (Cd)
Nickel (Ni)
Iron (Fe)
Plastics
Electrolyte
m input , total ( 5 )
m output , Cd ( 5 )
m output , total ( 5 )
Recycling efficiency (R E ) ( 6 ):
m output /m input
mass %
Degree of recycled Cd (R Cd ) ( 7 ): m Cd output /m Cd input
mass %
Notes:
( 1 ) Facility reprocessing the waste batteries and accumulators after collection and eventual sorting.
( 2 ) Description of the complete battery recycling process, no matter if carried out by one or several facilities (including a description of
the individual recycling steps and their output fractions).
( 3 ) Description of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection and eventual sorting and preparation for recycling.
( 4 ) Wet mass of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection and eventual sorting (the mass of separated impurities and
outer casing of battery packs as well as the water content as specified in the field ‘overall composition’ shall be subtracted for the
calculation of the recycling efficiency).

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EN
12.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
151/17
( 5 ) Data transferred from Annex V(2).
( 6 ) Calculated according to the formula for RE based on data reported according to Annex V(2).
( 7 ) Calculated according to the formula for R Cd based on data reported according to Annex V(2).
( 8 ) Examples of impurities include plastic, ebonite chips, items/pieces of iron, fibres from electronic scrap, molten aluminium.
2. For the individual steps of the recycling process of nickel-cadmium batteries and accumulators the following
information shall be reported:
Process step
1
Calendar year
Facility ( 1 )
Name
Street
City
Country
Contact person
E-mail
Tel.
Description of the individual process step:
Input (waste batteries or waste batteries fractions) ( 2 )
Mass
Description of
EWC code
input
(optional)
T/a
Output
(1) Intermediate fractions ( 3 )
Mass (
Recipient (
Description of
EWC code

4 )

5 )
Further
process step
fraction
(optional)
Further treatment
t/a Name
1_1
1_2
1_3
1_4
1_5
1_6
1_7
1_8
1_9
1_10
(2) Final output fractions accounting for recycling ( 6 )
Concentration of the
Mass of the element or
element or compound in compound, which results
Element or
Fraction (non-waste)
the fraction
from batteries input
compound (
containing the element or
Fate of the fraction

7 )
compound
mass % t/a

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L 151/18
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.6.2012
Concentration of the
Mass of the element or
element or compound in compound, which results
Element or
Fraction (non-waste)
the fraction
from batteries input
compound (
containing the element or
Fate of the fraction

7 )
compound
mass % t/a
m output , Cd
m output , total
Notes:
( 1 ) Facility carrying out an individual process step.
( 2 ) For step 1 = the same as input into the complete battery recycling process.
For subsequent steps = intermediate fractions from the previous process step.
( 3 ) Intermediate fractions = fractions destined for subsequent step(s) in the recycling process.
( 4 ) Resulting from the batteries input (dry mass).
( 5 ) Facility to which the intermediate fraction is handed over or — if the further process step is carried out internally — the same as 1.
( 6 ) Final output fractions accounting for recycling = that will be used for their original purpose or for other purposes without
undergoing further treatment, see also examples in Annex I(5).
( 7 ) Elements and compounds if they were component of the batteries input (waste battery). See special provisions and examples in
Annex I(5). For cadmium (Cd) in slag see provisions in Annex III(2). Cadmium must be entered as ‘Cd’.

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EN
12.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
151/19
ANNEX VI
Reporting on recycling efficiencies for other batteries and accumulators
1. For other batteries and accumulators input into the recycling process the following information shall be reported:
Recycling efficiency of a battery recycling process (other batteries)
Calendar year
Facility ( 1 )
Name
Street
City
Country
Contact person
E-mail
Tel.
Description of the complete battery recycling process ( 2 ):
Input into the complete battery recycling process ( 3 )
Mass (
Description of waste batteries and
EWC code

4 ) Overall
composition
of
input
m input
accumulators
(optional)
t/a
Element or compound mass
% [t/a]
Elements or components, which are not part of the
input fractions
Impurities ( 7 )
Outer casing of battery pack
Water (H 2 O)
Other
Elements or components, which are part of the input
fractions
Metals (e.g. Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni,
Co, Li, Ag, Cu, Al)
Mercury (Hg)
Carbon
Plastics
Electrolyte
m input , total ( 5 )
m output , total ( 5 )
Recycling efficiency (R E ) ( 6 ):
m output /m input mass
%
Notes:
( 1 ) Facility treating the waste batteries and accumulators after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling.
( 2 ) Description of the complete battery recycling process, no matter if carried out by one or several facilities (including a description of
the individual recycling steps and their output fractions).
( 3 ) Description of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling.
( 4 ) Wet mass of waste batteries and accumulators as received after collection, eventual sorting and preparation for recycling (the mass
of separated impurities and outer casing of battery packs as well as the water content as specified in the field ‘overall composition’
shall be subtracted for the calculation of the recycling efficiency).

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L 151/20
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.6.2012
( 5 ) Data transferred from Annex VI(2).
( 6 ) Calculated according to the formula for R E based on data reported according to Annex VI(2).
( 7 ) Examples of impurities include plastic, ebonite chips, items/pieces of iron, fibres from electronic scrap, molten aluminium.
2. For the individual steps of the recycling process of other batteries and accumulators the following information shall be
reported:
Process step
1
Calendar year
Facility ( 1 )
Name
Street
City
Country
Contact person
E-mail
Tel.
Description of the individual process step:
Input (waste batteries or waste batteries fractions) ( 2 )
Mass
Description of
EWC code
input
(optional)
t/a
Output
(1) Intermediate fractions ( 3 )
Mass (
Recipient (
Description of
EWC code

4 )

5 )
Further
process step
fraction
(optional)
Further treatment
t/a Name
1_1
1_2
1_3
1_4
1_5
1_6
1_7
1_8
1_9
1_10
(2) Final output fractions accounting for recycling ( 6 )
Concentration of the
Mass of the element or
element or compound in compound, which results
Element or
Fraction (non-waste)
the fraction
from batteries input
compound (
containing the element or
Fate of the fraction

7 )
compound
mass % t/a

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EN
12.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
151/21
Concentration of the
Mass of the element or
element or compound in compound, which results
Element or
Fraction (non-waste)
the fraction
from batteries input
compound (
containing the element or
Fate of the fraction

7 )
compound
mass % t/a
m output , total
Notes:
( 1 ) Facility carrying out an individual process step
( 2 ) For step 1 = the same as input into the complete battery recycling process.
For subsequent steps = intermediate fractions from the previous process step.
( 3 ) Intermediate fractions = fractions destined for subsequent step(s) in the recycling process.
( 4 ) Resulting from the batteries input (dry mass).
( 5 ) Facility to which the intermediate fraction is handed over or — if the further process step is carried out internally — the same as 1.
( 6 ) Final output fractions accounting for recycling = that will be used for their original purpose or for other purposes without
undergoing further treatment, see also examples in Annex I(5).
( 7 ) Elements and compounds if they were component of the batteries input (spent battery). See special provisions and examples in
Annex I(5).

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Document Outline

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