LEGACY OF THE PROGRAMME
Setting the Guiding Principles
As described in the article “The Trouble Shooter“, for over 20 years the industry has invested in environmentally sound management for battery recycling in countries around the world. In 2019, a global alliance of lead and lead battery industry groups – the International Lead Association, Battery Council International, the Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers, and the Association of Battery Recyclers – adopted a set of Guiding Principles designed to address poor practices seen in lead battery recycling in low- and middle-income countries and to establish a benchmark for sites in more established markets that were already operating in a regulated environment.
The Guiding Principles were established to help further protect workers, local communities’, and the environment by promoting sustainable practices in two key areas. First, to encourage continuous improvement in the management of lead exposure and emissions through responsible health and safety and environmentally sound production practices. Second, to promote the adoption of responsible sourcing policies, working through supply chains to ensure that the lead used for battery manufacturing is sourced from companies that uphold high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Starting from these two key areas, the Guiding Principles have evolved to cover 7 areas of sustainability: health and safety management; lead exposure management; responsible sourcing; collection, transportation and recycling of used lead batteries; communities health and safety, human and labour rights, and anti-corruption; stakeholder engagement; and knowledge sharing and capacity building. Please find more information on the Guiding Principles here.
Since 2019, the four associations have continued to collaborate, to define the Industry Guidelines underpinning the Guiding Principles and to deliver Impact Projects on the ground
The International Lead Association (ILA)
The International Lead Association (ILA) is the only global trade association dedicated exclusively to representing lead producers and supporting a sustainable future for lead. Many of our members are companies recycling lead from end-of-life products, contributing to a circular economy by creating economic value from waste. ILA members also produce lead from mining, smelting and refining of lead ores and concentrates. Associate members include companies with a direct interest in lead and its many important uses.
The Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers (EUROBAT) has been established with the purpose to study all matters of interest to storage battery manufacturers and their sub-contractors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. EUROBAT’s activities include: promoting the regulatory, commercial and economic interests of the European automotive, industrial and special battery industries; facilitating the continued growth of the European industry; working with stakeholders to help develop new battery solutions.
The Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers (EUROBAT)
The Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers (EUROBAT)
The Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers (EUROBAT) has been established with the purpose to study all matters of interest to storage battery manufacturers and their sub-contractors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. EUROBAT’s activities include: promoting the regulatory, commercial and economic interests of the European automotive, industrial and special battery industries; facilitating the continued growth of the European industry; working with stakeholders to help develop new battery solutions.
Battery Council International (BCI)
Battery Council International (BCI) was formed in 1924 to promote the interests of the battery industry. BCI has member companies worldwide engaged in every facet of the industry: battery manufacturers and recyclers, marketers and retailers, suppliers of raw materials and equipment, and expert consultants. As the industry’s principal association, BCI’s member services have a global impact. BCI members account for over 98% of U.S. lead battery production and recycling capacity. BCI establishes technical guidelines and references for battery manufacturing and actively promotes workable environmental, health and safety standards for the industry.
The Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR) represents companies that recycle spent lead batteries in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. We turn spent batteries into lead metal, plastic and sodium sulfate, which are used to manufacture new lead batteries and other useful products. The members of our national trade association hail from all corners of North America. Yet, we share the same mission: To follow the highest standards in lead battery recycling for the safety of our communities’, employees and the environment. For over 40 years, the Association has proudly represented the lead recycling industry. Collectively, we maintain an unwavering dedication to environmental and community responsibility by complying with all applicable laws, regulations and best practices.
The Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR)
The Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR)
The Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR) represents companies that recycle spent lead batteries in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. We turn spent batteries into lead metal, plastic and sodium sulfate, which are used to manufacture new lead batteries and other useful products. The members of our national trade association hail from all corners of North America. Yet, we share the same mission: To follow the highest standards in lead battery recycling for the safety of our communities, employees and the environment. For over 40 years, the Association has proudly represented the lead recycling industry. Collectively, we maintain an unwavering dedication to environmental and community responsibility by complying with all applicable laws, regulations and best practices.
Tackling the scourge of substandard battery recycling
As demand for battery energy storage and precious raw materials continues to grow, we call on governments and regulators worldwide to adopt the Industry Guidelines we have established for responsible manufacturing, recycling and raw materials stewardship.
The lead and lead battery industries are committed to creating a sustainable future, adopting the highest standards of health and safety and promoting responsible business practices. For more information about the issues associated with substandard lead batteries recycling and our efforts in improving performance worldwide, please visit our Impact Projects pages.