Europe
European Commission launches initiative on recycled content calculation and verification for batteries
On 12 August 2026, the European Commission advanced the implementation of the EU Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 through a new initiative that will establish how manufacturers must calculate and verify the percentage of cobalt, lithium, nickel and lead recovered from waste and incorporated into new batteries. It will also establish the format and documentation requirements needed to demonstrate compliance. The initiative supports the implementation of Article 8 of the EU Batteries Regulation, which introduces mandatory recycled-content obligations for specific battery categories.
Documentation obligations are scheduled to apply from 18 August 2028, while minimum recycled-content requirements will become mandatory from 18 August 2031, with more stringent thresholds applying from 2036.
Denmark
Denmark’s national PFAS ban now in force
Denmark's national ban, Executive Order BEK no. 464, on PFAS in clothing, footwear, and certain waterproofing products for consumers officially entered into force on 1 July 2026, introducing new compliance obligations for manufacturers, importers, and retailers. The measure forms part of the Danish government's PFAS Action Plan and aims to reduce environmental emissions and consumer exposure to PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment.
Under the new rules, products containing total fluorine levels at or above 50 mg F/kg will be prohibited. They may no longer be imported or sold to private consumers in Denmark. The ban covers various consumer products, including certain rainwear, footwear, and impregnation sprays.
A transitional period allows existing inventories to continue being sold until 1 January 2027, provided the products were imported or manufactured before 1 July 2026. Businesses must also be able to demonstrate compliance, which may require obtaining documentation from suppliers and reviewing product portfolios.
Several exemptions apply, including products sold for professional use, business-to-business sales, workwear, certain personal protective equipment, medical devices, home textiles, accessories such as bags and strollers, and reused or recycled products. Companies relying on these exemptions must be able to provide supporting documentation.
Sweden
Sweden publishes national PFAS action plan and proposes 2028 consumer product ban
On July 23, 2026, the Swedish government adopted a landmark national action plan to combat the widespread environmental and health threats posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), highly persistent "forever chemicals" linked to serious conditions such as cancer and impaired immune systems. Choosing to move ahead of slower, upcoming European Union restrictions, Sweden has proposed a pioneering national ban targeting non-essential PFAS in everyday consumer products, specifically clothing, shoes, impregnation agents, kitchen utensils, cosmetics, and ski wax, which is stated to take effect on January 1, 2028.
Sweden proposes to use the same thresholds as those being discussed in the EU-Wide PFAS restriction under REACH:
- Individual non-polymeric PFAS: 25 ug/kg (ppb)
- Sum of non-polymeric PFAS: 250 ug/kg (ppb)
- Total PFAS: 50 mg/kg (ppm)
For kitchenware, the limits apply to food-contact parts.
Supported by an immediate 85 million SEK budget allocation for cleanup and pilot remediation projects in 2026, the government’s multi-pronged strategy establishes six strategic focus areas to map chemical flows, enhance human and environmental monitoring, and accelerate technical development for soil and water decontamination before a scheduled national review on October 1, 2029.
UK
UK issues new guidance on EU batteries regulation in Northern Ireland
On 17 July 2026, the UK Government published comprehensive guidance to support businesses in understanding and complying with the EU Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 in Northern Ireland. The guidance represents an important milestone in the implementation of the EU's new framework for battery sustainability, safety and circularity in the region.
Jointly issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the guidance clarifies how the regulation applies in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework and outlines both existing and forthcoming obligations for manufacturers, importers, distributors and other economic operators involved in the battery supply chain.
While Northern Ireland is subject to the EU Batteries Regulation (EUBR), Great Britain continues to operate under the Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008. The UK Government has also announced plans to launch a consultation in autumn 2026 on a future UK-wide battery regime that would be aligned with the objectives of the EU framework.