Producer Responsibility for Portable Batteries – What Does It Mean for You?

If you manufacture or import batteries into Sweden or sell products you have imported that contain portable batteries, you are subject to producer responsibility. Here’s how you can get help in meeting your obligations.

The definition of a portable battery is that it is sealed, small enough to be carried, and is not an industrial battery or a vehicle battery. As a producer of portable batteries, you are responsible, among other things, for ensuring that these are handled correctly and in an environmentally sound way once they have reached their end of life and become waste – regardless of whether you are a manufacturer, importer, or retailer.

As a customer of El-Kretsen, you gain access to an approved system that manages the entire process – from reporting to authorities to collection and recycling. This makes it easier for you as a producer to comply with legal requirements.

What Qualifies as Portable Batteries?

Portable batteries are those that are sealed, easy to carry, and not used in heavy vehicles or industrial applications.

These can include:

• Common household batteries such as AA and AAA
• Button cell batteries and rechargeable batteries
• Batteries in portable electronics such as mobile phones and laptops
  

El-Kretsen Supports You Throughout the Entire Process

To comply with the rules and meet your producer responsibility, there are several aspects you need to be aware of. As an affiliated customer of El-Kretsen, you receive support throughout the entire process – from collection and recycling to documentation and reporting of data to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket).

How El-Kretsen’s Collection System Works

By joining El-Kretsen, you become part of a nationwide system for collecting batteries. We have established cooperation with all municipalities in Sweden, as well as with approved transporters and treatment facilities.

You simply declare your products in El-Kretsen’s portal, and we handle the rest – including reporting to the authorities.

The Declaration Portal – Your Tool for Producer Responsibility

As a customer, you gain access to the declaration portal – a digital tool where you can easily manage your producer reporting. Here you can:

• Report sales figures monthly or quarterly
• Receive guidance on battery classification
• Download certificates, agreements, and statistics

Once you are an affiliated customer, we will send you your login details so you can get started immediately.

What Does It Cost?

El-Kretsen’s fees cover the actual cost of collecting and recycling the batteries and consist of an annual fee and environmental fees. These vary depending on the type of battery.

Batteries containing hazardous substances require special handling and therefore have higher fees. The fees are paid when you place the product on the market and are used to finance the entire recycling chain.

Join and Get Started Immediately

Do you want to do things right from the start and get help with the entire producer responsibility process? Join El-Kretsen by filling in the form. We’ll ensure you get the correct agreement, guide you through the steps, and help you get started quickly.