4 March 2024
1. ADG 8 - implications for lithium batteries
The National Transport Commission is undertaking a major review of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and is consulting on key policy issues. The project is scheduled to result in presentation of a proposed ADG 8 to Infrastructure and Transport Ministers in late 2024 for approval.
The latest policy consultation paper #10 is of interest to the battery recycling sector as it covers special provisions around lithium batteries. In particular, there are new proposed conditional concessions (special provisions) for packaging small amounts of loose lithium cells and batteries and embedded lithium cells and batteries for transport to an intermediate processing facility for sorting, disposal or recycling. Submissions are due 22 April.
ABRI has organised a consultation session for industry on the implications for lithium batteries. The session will commence with a presentation from Debra Kirk, Manager Legislative Maintenance, on the proposed changes, followed by Q&A. The presentation is online on 3 April (2-3pm AEDT) registration.
2. Managing risks with used battery transport
The Heavy Vehicle National Regulator has developed a Draft Waste and Recycling Industry Load Management Code to assist anyone in the waste sector identify and control hazards and risks with waste transport activities, including used batteries. Consultation is open until 29 March 2024.
The Code is not mandatory. However, it can be used by a Court as evidence of a participants knowledge and actions to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety of its transport activities in relation to a heavy vehicle (see s26C of the Heavy Vehicle National Law). It is therefore important to be familiar with the Code. It applies to any party involved in transport activities including those who have consigned, received, packed and unloaded goods.
Further information is available in the draft Code.
If you have comments and would like to discuss with ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole, please email.
3. Battery recycling and related projects - funding and collaboration with CSIRO
Battery recyclers - CSIRO has two programs to support industrial research and build collaboration.
iPhD - Industry PhD Program - brings together an industry partner, university and the CSIRO to co-develop a four-year focused research program. Expressions of interest close 19 April 2019 for round 1. Further information
CSIRO kick-start funding for small and medium business. This program matches applicants with CSIRO researchers to assist refine a research proposal and develop a funding application. Two vouchers of up to $50,000 are available to progress the project. Further information
4. Offer for ABRI members to participate in pilot with Utilitarian, Liverpool City Council and Planet Ark to support battery recycling
Utilitarian World is offering ABRI members the opportunity to participate in a series of pilot projects using the Utilitarian technology platform at significantly discounted rates to support customers and product management. This is likely to be of particular interest to OEMs, distributors and retailers,
Utilitarian is part of strategic partnerships with Planet Ark and Liverpool City Council - with both organisations poised to play essential roles in the go-to-market for the initial pilots.
Utilitarian is a digital platform designed to support brands, OEMs and retailers engage and support consumers more effectively across the product lifecycle. The objective is to increase product recovery rates from households, coupled with more targeted recovery by product category, significantly improve the data capture potential as products are recovered, and do so in a manner that allows brands/OEMs and retailers to use the platform in a commercially favourable manner, by promoting customer engagement and loyalty.
It is envisaged that each participating organisation in the pilot would have the opportunity to:
promote safe product management to the broader customer base (users of the app), and a call for recovery of products
promote the sustainable practices of their respective organisation, with relevant links/material distributed across the platform
facilitate (in partnerships) the recovery of batteries. This step would include the direct engagement of customers and, the opportunity to communicate, reward, and generate new product sales in connection with the return of products
capture product-level data and aggregated customer data
battery tracking and tracing
it is expected the initiative will be promoted by a range of partners of Utilitarian, such as Planet Ark, and that direct cooperation/promotion of Liverpool City Council across their local government area.
Please contact Utilitarian CEO, Tim Lee, if you are interested in participating and would like to find out more. The project will commence soon so Utilitarian encourages you to make contact by 12 March.
5. ABRI Member Events
14 Mar – online (2-3pm AEDT) - 2024 ABRI Annual General Meeting. Registration
3 Apr NEW online (2-3pm AEDT) – Proposed ADG8 and implications for lithium batteries - National Transport Commission presentation Registration
15 Aug Sydney – 2024 ABRI Battery Recycling & Manufacturing Summit
6. ABRI Submissions, government engagement and media
4 March - ABRI submission to Commonwealth consultation on New Electric Vehicle Standards
26 March - ABRI CEO to appear before the NSW Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety Inquiry into Electric and Hybrid Battery Vehicles
22 March - submissions due to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles (EVs)