New EU Methodology Aims to Boost Battery Transparency and Sustainability

On 28 May 2025, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) released a standardized methodology for calculating the carbon footprint of industrial batteries, marking a critical step toward greater market transparency, sustainable innovation, and alignment with the EU’s climate goals.

What the Methodology Covers

The guidelines focus on rechargeable industrial batteries with:

• Internal storage
• Energy capacity above 2 kWh

The lifecycle stages covered include:

• Raw material extraction
• Manufacturing
• Waste management
• Recycling

➡️ Note: The usage phase is excluded.

The methodology emphasizes durability and supports the EU’s circular economy objectives by promoting longer-lasting, low-emission batteries.

Legal Framework and Industry Obligations

Under Article 7 of the EU Batteries Regulation (EU 2023/1542), manufacturers must:

• Declare the carbon footprint of batteries sold in the EU
• Provide third-party verified data
• Enable consumers to make informed, sustainable choices

Scope of Application

The methodology applies to diverse battery uses, including:

• Home energy storage
• Data centers and hospitals (UPS)
• Medical equipment
• Large-scale grid storage
• Transport systems (ships, trains, aircraft)

Battery chemistries covered include:

• Lithium-ion
• Nickel-metal hydride
• Lead-acid
• Nickel-cadmium

Policy Goals and Next Steps

The initiative supports EU priorities to:

• Cut carbon emissions across battery lifecycles
• Standardize carbon footprint disclosures
• Promote battery recycling and circularity

Looking ahead, the JRC plans to expand this methodology to cover batteries for light means of transport (LMT), building on earlier work related to EV batteries.

This standardized approach sets a new benchmark for sustainability in the battery sector, helping the EU drive climate action while fostering consumer trust and innovation in the green technology space.

*Report: "Calculating the carbon footprint of industrial batteries: a methodological support"

Reference: European Commission – Joint Research Centre (JRC)