The handling of batteries and accumulators is regulated by Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators. The main objective of the Batteries Directive is to minimize the environmental impact of batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators and to contribute to the protection of the environment.
This Directive repeals Directive 91/157/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 March 1991 on batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances, which was in force until that date.