Brazil weighs in on batteries

The Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente, or National Council of the Environment (CONAMA) in Brazil, has adopted legislation on batteries, resolution 401/2008 that replaces 257/1999.

The resolution impacts portable, industrial, and automotive batteries. As well as including obligations on disposal and recycling, there are substance restrictions which are different to those in other countries, including the European Union.

In the EU, there is no restriction of lead in batteries, although there are labelling requirements if the battery contains more than 0.004% by weight.
The Brazilian legislation has a concentration limit for lead in alkali batteries of 0.1%, while the upper limit of cadmium and mercury is the same as in the EU.
The restrictions will apply starting on July 1. Unlike the EU, there is no ban on NiCd batteries, although disposing via landfill will be prohibited.

Take-back and collection points must be provided at the point of sale and information on battery disposal must be provided to users.

As in the EU, suppliers of equipment must inform customers how to safely remove batteries and, where this is not practical, information on the potential risks from batteries should be provided.

Manufacturers and importers will be expected to promote recycling and will be responsible for end-of-life batteries.

About the author
As director of legislation and environmental affairs, Gary Nevison is Newark’s and Farnell’s spokesperson and customer interface on legislation that affects the electronics industry, such as the ROHS (all variations around the world), REACH, EuP, and WEEE directives. For more on Gary, click here.