New regulations have been passed to encourage greater recovery and recycling of waste batteries and accumulators (rechargeable batteries).
These regulations place a number of obligations on Retailers of portable (i.e. AA, AAA, Cell C, Cell D, PP3, PP9 etc.), automotive or industrial batteries. A Retailer who sells electrical and electronic equipment (e.g. computers, toys, watches etc.) with a battery incorporated in or accompanying the product is also a Battery Retailer under the scope of the regulations.
Retailer Obligations
What are the Retailer obligations?
Retailer obligations include the following:
Provide free in-store take back for waste batteries which are equivalent to the type being sold (i.e. retailers will not have to take back a car battery if they only sell batteries suitable for a torch or remote control). WEEE Ireland, the approved compliance scheme, will provide battery boxes for retail premises.
Take back is on a one-for-zero basis. This means that members of the public are not obliged to make a purchase when depositing waste batteries at a retail outlet.
Ensure your premises is registered with Offaly County Council.
Retailers must ensure that waste portable batteries are brought to the nearest Civic Amenity site, subject to prior arrangements being made, or alternatively arrange for collection by WEEE Ireland.
Battery Boxes
WEEE Ireland Ltd have been authorised by the Minister for the Environment as the approved compliance scheme for Co. Offaly. If you sell batteries and have not already received a battery box, just contact WEEE Ireland Ltd at (01) 2999320. For details of WEEE Irelands collection points in your area, contact WEEE Ireland at the number above.
Registration requirements
• If you are already registered with Offaly County Council under the WEEE Regulations, you are automatically included on the Batteries Retailer Register. There is no need to re-register with us for the Batteries Regulations.
• Retailers who do not sell electrical and electronic equipment, automotive and/or industrial batteries (e.g. the only type of batteries sold are portable batteries such as AAA, AA, Cell C, Cell D, PP3, PP9 etc.) are exempted from registration. However, you must still accept batteries free-of-charge.
• Retailers of automotive and industrial batteries must register with Offaly County Council. A nominal fee of €20 per premises applies. Retailers of automotive and industrial batteries click here for application form.
A detailed information note from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on Retailer requirements can be downloaded here - Waste Batteries and the Retailer Information Note Oct 2008.
Legislation
Waste Management (Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations 2008
Explanatory Notes
Waste Batteries and the Retailer Information Note Oct 2008
Application Forms
Batteries Registration Form