Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators and repealing Directive 91/157/EEC which entered into force on 26 September 2006, aims at minimising the negative impacts of batteries and accumulators on the environment and also harmonising requirements for the smooth functioning of the internal market. Besides introducing measures to prohibit the marketing of some batteries containing hazardous substances, there are also measures for establishing schemes aiming at high level of collection and recycling of batteries with quantified collection and recycling targets, and sets out minimum rules for producer responsibility and provisions with regard to labelling of batteries and their removability from equipment. This Directive was transposed in part my means of the Waste Management (Waste Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations, 2010.

This legislation applies to all types of batteries and accumulators, regardless of their shape, volume, weight, material composition or use, and applies also to those batteries incorporated in electrical and electronic equipment, as well as those accumulators incorporated in end of life vehicles, with the exception of:

(a) equipment connected with the protection of Malta’s essential security interests, arms, munitions and war material, with the exclusion of products that are not intended for specifically military purposes; and

(b) equipment designed to be sent into space.

A "battery" or "accumulator" means any source of electrical energy generated by direct conversion of chemical energy and consisting of one or more primary battery cells (non-rechargeable) or consisting of one or more secondary battery cells (rechargeable).

There are three types of "categories of batteries or accumulators":

(a) automotive batteries or accumulators, meaning those used for automotive starter, lighting or ignition power;

(b) industrial batteries or accumulators, meaning those designed for exclusively industrial or professional uses or used in any type of electric vehicle, and

(c) portable batteries or accumulators, meaning any battery, button cell, battery pack or accumulator that is sealed, and can be hand carried, and is neither an industrial battery or accumulator nor an automotive battery or accumulator.

Portable batteries include AAA cells, mobile phone batteries, and button cells.

Producers who are obliged under the Waste Management (Waste Batteries and Accumulators) regulations must register with the MALTA ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING AUTHORITY. Each producer is obliged to register and provide the Competent Authority with the necessary information for the previous year as required in the application for registration. If a producer chooses to make use of an existing authorised waste batteries and accumulators collection, treatment and recycling scheme, he shall be required to submit to the Competent Authority proof of her/his membership in the approved compliance scheme.

A "producer" is any person in Malta who, irrespective of the selling technique used, including by means of distance communication as defined in the Distance Selling Regulations, 2001, places batteries or accumulators, including those incorporated into appliances or vehicles, on the market for the first time within the territory of Malta on a professional basis.

Registration could be made online on http://www.mepa.gov.mt/ using an electronic-id or by completing the relevant form that could be downloaded from this page. Further information can also be obtained by visiting the frequently asked questions, by sending an email on or by calling on telephone no. 2290 7211. REGISTRATION FORM

When a producer ceases to be a producer of batteries and accumulators s/he shall inform the Competent Authority within 20 working days of his ceasing to do so. Where the business of a producer is transferred in whole or in part to another person, the producer shall be treated as remaining responsible for the batteries and accumulators in respect of which s/he has made an application, unless s/he is able to demonstrate that the person to whom the transfer has been made has agreed to meet the producer's obligations of any such batteries and accumulators under these obligations.