What are the different categories of batteries?

Under the Waste Battery and Accumulator Regulations, there are three different categories of batteries. These include: Portable (hand-held) Industrial (designed for industrial use) Automotive (used for starting/igniting vehicles)

I am a distributor. What are my battery take-back obligations?

An obligated distributor is a company that sells more than 32 kg a year of portable batteries in the UK (approximately 24 AA batteries a week). If you meet this threshold, you must: Accept waste portable batteries back free of charge Clearly inform customers at the sales point that this take-back service is available. Who is exempt? A company selling less than 32 kg of portable batteries in a year, or a company that only sells batteries within equipment, is not considered an obligated distributor and is exempt from this requirement.

I am a producer of industrial or automotive batteries. What are my take-back obligations?

If you place industrial or automotive batteries on the UK market, you must: Take back waste industrial batteries free of charge and within a reasonable time from end users if they supply them with new batteries. Collect waste automotive batteries free of charge and within a reasonable time from their final holders, such as garages and scrapyards.

Battery Producer Registration & Compliance Partners

Here at Beyondly, we partner with an approved Batteries Compliance Scheme (BCS) to ensure your business meets all the requirements of the Waste Battery and Accumulator Regulations. Our team of experts and customer-first approach aims to provide your business with a seamless compliance experience to help you contribute to a more sustainable future.

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Who needs to comply with the Waste Battery and Accumulator Regulations?

In the UK, you have a legal obligation if you are a producer (manufacturer or importer) or a distributor of batteries. You must comply to avoid fines and reputational damage.

Battery Producers

Manufacture batteries: You produce batteries in the UK for sale.
Import batteries: You bring batteries or products containing batteries into the UK from overseas.

Portable Battery Distributors

Sells over 32kg of batteries annually: Even if you don’t manufacture them, selling this amount will trigger distributor obligations.

Chat to us about your batteries compliance journey or receive a proposal from Beyondly

How we help you navigate compliance

Navigating batteries compliance can be challenging, which is why we work alongside our chosen batteries compliance scheme partner to help businesses comply fully with the Waste Batteries and Accumulator Regulations and stay on top of requirements.

Small Portable Producers (under 1 tonne): Small producers can register directly with the Environment Agency (EA) or through a compliance scheme. We can manage your registration and make sure your annual data is submitted accurately and on time.
Large Portable Producers (over 1 tonne): If you exceed the 1-tonne threshold, you are legally required to join a batteries compliance scheme. We partner with approved schemes on your behalf and handle all the technical data, reporting, and administrative tasks so you don't have to.
Industrial and Automotive Producers: Industrial and automotive battery producers can register directly via the NPWD.

Why choose Beyondly for battery compliance?

Here at Beyondly, we pride ourselves on our proactive and supportive approach. With Beyondly, you can expect the following benefits:

A dedicated account manager
Expert advice and policy support
Compliance reviews and actionable reports
Environment Agency audit support
Compliance Certificate

Batteries Compliance Scheme FAQs

A batteries compliance scheme helps businesses meet their legal obligations under the Waste Battery and Accumulator Regulations. Manufacturers and importers of batteries placing more than 1 tonne on the market in a year need to join by law to provide evidence of what they have placed on the market.

By partnering with Beyondly, you get expert support and guidance to navigate your data reporting and recycling obligations, while our approved batteries compliance scheme handles your official registration with the Environment Agency.

The cost of portable batteries compliance depends primarily on whether you exceed the 1-tonne annual threshold which separates ‘small’ from ‘large’ providers. Typically, producers can expect to pay agency registration fees, annual membership fees and evidence fees.

Your business must join a batteries compliance scheme if you are a large producer, meaning you place over 1 tonne of batteries on the market in a year.

Small producers placing 1 tonne or less on the market in a year can register directly with the Environment Agency instead.

If you are an automotive and/or industrial batteries producer only (no portable batteries), you can register via the NPWD.

Under the Waste Battery and Accumulator Regulations, there are three different categories of batteries. These include:

Portable (hand-held)
Industrial (designed for industrial use)
Automotive (used for starting/igniting vehicles)

If you fail to comply with the Environment Agency, they have the power to issue civil penalties or pursue prosecution, resulting in fines.

An obligated distributor is a company that sells more than 32 kg a year of portable batteries in the UK (approximately 24 AA batteries a week). If you meet this threshold, you must:

Accept waste portable batteries back free of charge
Clearly inform customers at the sales point that this take-back service is available.

Who is exempt?

A company selling less than 32 kg of portable batteries in a year, or a company that only sells batteries within equipment, is not considered an obligated distributor and is exempt from this requirement.

If you place industrial or automotive batteries on the UK market, you must:

Take back waste industrial batteries free of charge and within a reasonable time from end users if they supply them with new batteries.
Collect waste automotive batteries free of charge and within a reasonable time from their final holders, such as garages and scrapyards.

Our Beyondly WEEE and Batteries experts are here to make compliance simple, accurate, and stress-free. We share our expertise to ensure your data submissions are as precise as possible and help you feel confident in understanding your obligations. By staying up to date with policy and industry changes, we guide you through complex regulations, support with submissions to the Environment Agency, and continuously improve data processes.

As a valued member of our Beyondly circle, you can enjoy various perks designed to elevate your experience and deliver exceptional value. From exclusive discounts and member updates to personalised support from your dedicated Account Manager, our membership program is tailored to meet your compliance and sustainability needs.

Emily Rice
Head of WEEE, Batteries & Quality

Emily Rice

Head of WEEE, Batteries & Quality

My passion is in continuous improvement, always finding a better way

Lindsay Grey
WEEE & Batteries Team Leader

Lindsay Grey

WEEE & Batteries Team Leader

I feel genuinely inspired to be part of the Beyondly circle, knowing that the work we do together is creating positive change in the world.

Ellen Butler
Data Quality & Compliance Leader (WEEE & Batteries)

Ellen Butler

Data Quality & Compliance Leader (WEEE & Batteries)

Driven by innovation to turn data into insights that fuel growth and guide us to protect our planet

Jane Warman
Collections Coordinator

Jane Warman

Collections Coordinator

I enjoy facilitating our collections service and supporting our customers whilst helping the planet too!

Cody Fisher
Account Manager (WEEE & Batteries)

Cody Fisher

Account Manager (WEEE & Batteries)

I enjoy delivering excellent customer service and helping others understand important environmental issues

Amanda Mitchell
Account Manager (WEEE & Batteries)

Amanda Mitchell

Account Manager (WEEE & Batteries)

I am driven by the opportunity to make a positive difference, helping people feel heard, supported, and empowered every day, while championing environmental compliance and responsible practices

Louise Parkinson
Account Manager (WEEE & Batteries)

Louise Parkinson

Account Manager (WEEE & Batteries)

I love building strong relationships with my clients and working together to meet their environmental goals with confidence.

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Battery Producer Registration and Compliance Services

Who needs to comply with the Waste Battery and Accumulator Regulations?

Chat to us about your batteries compliance journey or receive a proposal from Beyondly

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How we help you navigate compliance

Why choose Beyondly for battery compliance?