Battery rules move fast. Stay ready.

Europe · ADR contracting states · 2026-10-01

01 / 16

ADR 2027 battery road-transport amendments are set to apply from 1 January 2027

UNECE states that the ADR amendments adopted by WP.15 in 2025 and 2026 were notified to contracting parties on 1 July 2026, with the objection period ending on 1 October. Subject to the treaty procedure, they are set to take effect on 1 January 2027. The 2027 edition includes new and revised provisions for lithium-ion, sodium-ion and hybrid batteries, including batteries installed in cargo transport units. The official consolidated texts are ECE/TRANS/WP.15/274, Corr.1 and Add.1.

European Union · 2026-10-06

02 / 16

European Parliament approves tighter workplace exposure rules for cobalt used in battery production

On 6 October 2026, the European Parliament approved the negotiated sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive. The text introduces occupational exposure limits for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds used in battery production, alongside limits for other hazardous substances, and clarifies protective-equipment, training and worker-protection measures. The Council must still complete formal adoption before publication and national transposition.

China · 2026-10-01

03 / 16

China implements a national technical guide for directed recycling of waste lithium-battery chemicals

Recommended national standard GB/T 47393—2026 took effect on 1 October 2026. According to SAMR, it sets out basic principles, the recycling value chain, categories of recoverable resources, recycling routes and directed-recycling technologies for chemicals from waste lithium batteries. Its purpose is to support more structured circular-economy practices in China’s waste-battery recycling sector.

China · 2026-09-28

04 / 16

China publishes its first national five-year plan for the new-type battery industry

China’s MIIT and six other departments released the 2026–2030 plan for lithium, sodium, flow and other new-type batteries. It sets 19 priority tasks across innovation, industrial upgrading, industry-system development, technology services, and trade and investment. By 2030 it targets initial large-scale application of all-solid-state batteries, 15,000-cycle long-life lithium batteries and parts-per-billion defect rates at leading manufacturers, while strengthening safety, recycling, standards, testing, traceability, carbon-footprint management and international cooperation.

United Kingdom · Northern Ireland · 2026-09-25

05 / 16

Northern Ireland adopts a new enforcement framework for batteries placed on the market

The Batteries (Placing on the Market) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026 were made on 25 September and, except for one later provision, come into force 22 days afterward. They give effect to enforcement and conformity-assessment arrangements supporting EU Regulation 2023/1542 in Northern Ireland, including offences and penalties, rules for UK notified bodies and use of the UK(NI) indication where those bodies are involved. They also revoke the 2008 placing-on-market rules in Northern Ireland subject to savings and transitional provisions.

Global · 2026-09-24

06 / 16

IATA urges stronger controls on undeclared dangerous goods in air cargo

IATA published a cargo-safety white paper calling for a layered approach to undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods. It says lithium batteries are among the concealed commodities most often identified and that security screening alone is not a primary compliance solution; responsibility must begin upstream with shippers, sellers and logistics partners.

China · 2026-09-24

07 / 16

Chinese certification body to stop issuing CCC certificates for lithium batteries and power banks

The certification body announced that it has applied to surrender its designated CCC qualification for lithium-ion cells and battery packs and for power banks. From the date China’s certification regulator publishes the cancellation notice, the body will no longer issue CCC certificates for those product categories.

Netherlands · 2026-09-18

08 / 16

Netherlands publishes renewed national battery-systems agenda

The Dutch government sent Parliament a renewed National Action Agenda for Battery Systems focused on heavy-duty and dual-use mobility, stationary storage and energy hubs, next-generation components, production equipment, and circularity. The agenda targets faster market access, a route from validation to industrial production, interoperable battery data and safety systems, shared test and certification capacity, and stronger repair, reuse and recycling infrastructure through 2030.

United States · California · 2026-09-17

09 / 16

California opens emergency rulemaking for battery-embedded waste recycling fee

CalRecycle scheduled the emergency regulations for submission on 17 September 2026, with public comments open through 22 September. The proposed covered battery-embedded waste fee is 1.5% of retail price, capped at US$1, and is planned to take effect on 1 January 2027.

EU · 2026-09-16

10 / 16

EU publishes EN 18060:2025 as a harmonised EV-battery standard

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2048, effective from its Official Journal publication on 16 September 2026, publishes the reference to EN 18060:2025 under the EU Batteries Regulation. The standard addresses performance and durability of rechargeable road-vehicle modules and batteries using Li-ion, Na-ion, lead, NiMH and combined chemistries.

EU · 2026-08-21

11 / 16

EU publishes updated Battery Passport data guidance

The guidance maps 71 data points for EV, LMT and industrial batteries. Battery passports become mandatory on 18 February 2027 for covered batteries, including industrial batteries above 2 kWh.

Australia · 2026-09-11

12 / 16

Australia updates its consumer energy resources roadmap

The roadmap coordinates rooftop solar, home batteries, EVs and smart appliances to lower costs while supporting grid reliability.

China · 2026-08-13

13 / 16

China advances new lithium-ion material energy-consumption standards

MIIT opened public review on a group of industry standards including an energy-consumption limit for lithium-ion cathode-material precursors.

Global · 2026-01-01

14 / 16

IATA issues 2026 lithium and sodium-ion battery shipping guidance

The document reflects the 67th edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations and the 2025–2026 ICAO Technical Instructions, with restructured battery classification, packing and documentation guidance.

Australia · 2026-06-09

15 / 16

Australia revises the Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Changes took effect on 1 May 2026. Eligible 5–100 kWh systems can receive an upfront discount of about 30%, subject to approved equipment and accredited installation.

EU · 2026-07-14

16 / 16

EU adds targeted exemptions to portable-battery removability rules

A delegated act adds six product categories, including some wearables, electric toys and ATEX equipment, to exemptions from consumer-removability requirements.