The European Commission announced an update to the EU List of Waste introducing new battery-related waste codes spanning manufacturing waste, post-consumer battery waste, and intermediate recycling fractions. The update clarifies/classifies “black mass” as hazardous waste and classifies several battery chemistries (including lithium-, nickel-, zinc-based; sodium sulphur; alkaline waste batteries) as hazardous, including adding a new hazardous code for lithium-based batteries in separately collected municipal waste. This affects waste classification, handling, storage, and cross-border shipment compliance (e.g., documentation and shipment controls) for battery producers, collectors, recyclers, and logistics providers supporting EU Battery Regulation circularity requirements.
EASA published/communicated guidance and an end-of-year milestone reminder tied to Regulation (EU) 2024/590 (Ozone Regulation) that drives a halogen-free outcome: portable fire extinguishers used for aircraft cabins/crew compartments on in-service aircraft registered in the EU or operated by an EU operator must be halon-free by 31 December 2025. This is directly relevant to Halogen Free compliance programs for aviation safety equipment supply chains (specification changes, retrofit planning, and conformity documentation).
EASA made available the 'Halon replacement in the aviation industry guide 2025' to support implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/590 in the aviation sector. The guide compiles Annex V deadline information (including the 31 Dec 2025 end date for portable extinguishers protecting cabins and crew compartments) and explains compliance pathways and the derogations process (via Member State competent authority requests to the European Commission). Compliance teams can use this guidance to validate aircraft configuration changes, technical acceptance criteria, and regulatory interaction steps for any exceptional cases.
The European Commission’s mercury policy page points to the revised EU mercury framework, noting that Regulation (EU) 2024/1849 entered into force on 30 July 2024. The page summarizes key mercury-free transition measures including: (1) dental amalgam phase-out and export ban by 1 January 2025, with a temporary derogation available until 30 June 2026 for Member States needing more time; and (2) phase-outs for additional mercury-containing lamps with manufacture/export bans beginning 31 December 2025 or 31 December 2026 depending on lamp type. Compliance teams should validate product portfolios (dental and lighting sectors in particular), confirm Member State derogation status where relevant, and manage end-of-sale/export planning and substantiation for any allowed exceptions.
The European Commission announced that the revised EU Mercury Regulation entered into force, strengthening mercury phase-out measures. Key compliance impacts highlighted include restrictions affecting dental amalgam (including a prohibition on use and export by 1 January 2025, with a temporary derogation for certain Member States until 30 June 2026) and restrictions on certain mercury-containing lamp categories with phase-out dates (depending on lamp category). This matters for compliance teams because product portfolios (especially dental and lighting products) may require redesign/substitution, supply-chain changes, and country-by-country planning to account for transition arrangements and derogation timelines.
The European Commission announced that the revised EU Mercury Regulation entered into force, strengthening mercury controls to support a mercury-free environment. The update is described as phasing out remaining intentional uses (including dental amalgam and mercury-containing lamps) and includes time-limited derogations, including a derogation referenced as running until 2026-06-30 for some Member States concerning dental amalgam. Compliance teams placing relevant products on the EU market (e.g., dental sector and lighting) should evaluate the updated prohibitions/derogations and associated timelines for product design, sourcing, and market access.
The European Commission’s batteries policy page serves as an official implementation hub for Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, aggregating links to Battery Regulation-related secondary legislation and Commission notices/guidelines (e.g., on removability/replaceability and recycling efficiency/material recovery methodology). While the research did not confirm a specific new item within the last 30 days, compliance teams can use this page as an authoritative tracker for newly published delegated/implementing acts and Commission notices relevant to the Battery Regulation.