Focus on… France

France’s new eco-modulation criteria for battery removability and replacement

Effective from 1 January 2025, France’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Battery regulations introduce new modulation criteria for the removability and replaceability of portable batteries, including those in Light Means of Transport (LMT).

The definitions for the criteria align with those of the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542. This step aims to address the environmental impact of battery-containing products.

Eco-modulation is used as an incentive tool to promote circularity, using a fee scale linked to the reparability, reuse, depollution, recyclability and lifespan of household electrical products.

Products containing batteries that are ‘easily removable by the end user’ and have appropriate documentation on the safe removal of batteries are not subject to a penalty fee.

Products without this documentation will be considered as ‘including inseparable batteries’ and, as of January 2025, be subject to penalties.

There are exceptions for certain products that are designed so that the battery cannot be removed by the end-user, or can only be replaced by professionals, such as medical and safety devices.

For more information, please see the article by Landbell Group company, H2 Compliance.

If you need support or have any questions, please contact CGlobal-Sales@landbellgroup.com.