Extended Producer Responsibility Framework for Batteries
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Background
According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, extended producer responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach that gives producers financial or physical responsibility for a product’s entire lifecycle, including the management or disposal of post-consumer products. EPR in the United States is frequently implemented by the states and can cover multiple products, including plastics and packaging, batteries and e-waste, mattresses, tires, and paint.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a national EPR framework for batteries that addresses battery recycling goals, cost structures for mandatory recycling, reporting requirements, product design, collection models, and transportation of collected materials. The national EPR framework will be informed by input from individuals representing the full battery life cycle, described below.
Scope
The national battery EPR framework and accompanying Report to Congress will consider all battery chemistries (e.g., lithium-based, nickel-metal hydride, alkaline) and all battery types (e.g., small format single-use and rechargeable batteries; mid-format batteries; large format batteries for electric vehicles, energy storage, and industrial uses).
Engagement Overview
In early 2025, EPA will host a series of focused conversations on topics relating to the development of a national EPR framework covering all batteries. The EPR conversations will occur separately from the battery collection best practices and voluntary labeling guidelines workings sessions also occurring in 2024 and 2025.
In these conversations, EPA will seek individual input from experts on elements that will inform the national battery EPR framework, including but not limited to:
- Covered batteries and products and potential exclusions.
- Producer responsibilities and producer responsibility organization structure.
- Federal, state, and local government roles and responsibilities.
- Goals, targets, and reporting requirements.
- Collection and recycling infrastructure, including cost structures, collection models, transportation, and domestic recycling incentives.
- Product design, including design for recycling.
EPA will use this input to develop a draft national battery EPR framework.
In the conversations, EPA and DOE will seek feedback from:
- Battery producers, manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and collectors or processors.
- States and municipalities.
- Other relevant parties, such as environmental, energy, or consumer organizations knowledgeable about the current challenges and opportunities facing cost effective battery collection and recycling in the United States and knowledgeable about EPR program development and implementation.
How to Get Involved
EPA will gather input from all parties across the battery value chain for all batteries, including small format consumer electric and portable batteries, mid-format batteries, and large format batteries for mobility, vehicles, energy storage, and industrial uses.
If you represent any sector of the battery value chain, states and municipalities, or other relevant parties knowledgeable about EPR and are interested in participating in all or some of these meetings, please provide your information and share any additional relevant information about your experience with EPR policy, program development, and implementation to batteries@epa.gov.