EU updates battery waste codes; black mass and Li-ion batteries classified as hazardous

Commission updates European List of Waste with new battery-related waste codes. Black mass, lithium-based waste batteries, nickel-based waste batteries, and zinc-based waste batteries are now classified as hazardous waste. New codes introduced for waste from battery manufacturing, post-consumer batteries, and intermediate fractions from battery recycling. Classification supports better control of black mass shipments and implements export restrictions to non-OECD countries from December 2026.