Battery Passport: The New Digital Identity for Batteries
What Is the Battery Passport?
The Battery Passport is a digital document linked to each battery via a unique identifier, typically accessible via a QR code.
It contains up-to-date and verifiable information regarding:
- manufacturer and model;
- technical specifications;
- capacity and performance;
- material composition;
- carbon footprint;
- content of critical raw materials;
- regulatory compliance;
- maintenance, reuse, and end-of-life operations.
The goal is to create a “digital ID” that can be accessed by manufacturers, users, authorities, and recycling operators.
Why was the Battery Passport created?
The European Union aims to make the battery supply chain more sustainable, safe, and transparent.
The Battery Passport allows you to:
Promoting the circular economy
By facilitating the reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of batteries.
Increase transparency
By making reliable data available throughout the value chain.
Reducing the Environmental Impact
By monitoring the carbon footprint and the origin of materials.
Improving Regulatory Compliance
By enabling companies to easily demonstrate compliance with European requirements.
Who is involved?
The Battery Passport is primarily intended for:
- battery manufacturers;
- OEMs and vehicle manufacturers;
- industrial machinery manufacturers;
- importers and distributors;
- maintenance providers;
- second-life and recycling companies.
Each participant in the supply chain will be required to manage or update specific information throughout the battery’s lifecycle.
Main deadlines
The Battery Passport will be introduced gradually and flexibly, adapting to developments in the sector.
- February 18, 2025: Mandatory carbon footprint reporting for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
- February 18, 2026: Mandatory carbon footprint reporting for rechargeable industrial batteries (> 2 kWh).
- August 18, 2026: Implementation of new labeling requirements with clear symbols indicating lifespan and capacity.
- February 18, 2027: The Digital Battery Passport (via QR code) becomes mandatory for electric vehicles, LMT batteries (light-duty vehicles such as e-bikes), and rechargeable industrial batteries (> 2 kWh).
- August 18, 2027: Supply chain due diligence requirements take effect.
- August 18, 2031: Introduction of mandatory minimum percentages of recycled content (cobalt, lead, lithium, and nickel)
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
Compliance doesn’t just mean following a rule. Its impact goes far beyond regulatory compliance. The structured collection and management of battery data are becoming a strategic factor for competing in the European market, improving relationships with customers and partners, and highlighting a company’s commitment to sustainability.
Reducing the Risk of Non-Compliance
With the entry into force of the new European requirements, companies will need to be able to clearly and verifiably demonstrate the origin, characteristics, and life cycle of the batteries they place on the market.
Preparing in advance means avoiding issues related to inspections, document requests, or last-minute regulatory updates, thereby reducing the risk of penalties, delays in sales, or difficulties in accessing the European market.
Strengthen the trust of customers and partners
OEMs, machine manufacturers, and end users are increasingly demanding transparency regarding the origin of materials, product sustainability, and battery performance over time.
Having certified and easily accessible data makes it possible to demonstrate reliability, quality, and compliance, thereby strengthening trust throughout the supply chain.
Improving Product Management Over Time
The Battery Passport introduces an approach based on tracking the entire battery lifecycle.
This allows for the collection of useful information on installation, maintenance, replacement, and end-of-life, creating a valuable database to improve after-sales service, warranty management, and the development of future products.
Highlighting Environmental Performance
An increasing number of calls for proposals, tenders, and supply specifications require proof of a product’s environmental performance.
The availability of information regarding a product’s carbon footprint, recycled content, and supply chain sustainability represents a tangible competitive advantage and can become a distinguishing factor in commercial negotiations.
Facilitating reuse and the circular economy
The information contained in the Battery Passport allows for a more accurate assessment of the health of batteries and their suitability for second-life applications, remanufacturing, or recycling.
This promotes the creation of more sustainable business models and the optimization of the residual value of batteries at the end of their useful life.
From Obligation to Competitive Advantage
Companies that begin structuring their data collection processes today will have an advantage over those that wait until the last minute to address this change.
The Battery Passport is not merely a regulatory requirement: it is a tool that will enable the most innovative companies to stand out in the market through greater transparency, sustainability, and data management capabilities.
Your journey into the world of electrification starts here!
