Could new battery rules spell end to built-in obsolescence?

The government yesterday unveiled new legislation designed to cut the environmental impact of battery technologies and force designers of electrical products to ensure flat batteries can be readily removed.

Under the EU's Batteries and Accumulators Directive, from 26 September manufacturers will have to meet tough new standards regarding the use of heavy metals and ensure all batteries carry the "crossed out wheelie bin" label that features on electronic products.

In particular, restrictions will be placed on the use of mercury and cadmium in batteries with only a few specific designs enjoying an exemption from the new standards.

New rules are also to be introduced that would require manufacturers to design products in such a way that waste batteries can be "readily removed".

Manufacturers of consumer electronics devices have long been criticised by environmental groups for designing products where it is difficult to remove the battery. They argue that the practice results in "built-in obsolescence", artificially shortening the life of working products and resulting in increased levels of eWaste.

Most notably, Apple has been repeatedly criticised over the design of its iPod, which requires consumers to pay for a replacement battery service when the battery goes flat.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) said that the regulations would effectively make it illegal for manufacturers to create products where the battery cannot be removed.

Energy minister Malcolm Wicks said the rules represented a "big first step towards implementing the Batteries Directive", and would also "provide a foundation for reducing the environmental impact of the many millions of port able, industrial and automotive batteries used in the UK each year".

The BERR spokeswoman said the new regulations would be followed in the autumn by a consultation on how to implement those parts of the directive covering collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries and accumulators. She added that the aim was to ensure legislation governing producer compliance schemes in place by April next year.