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NEW MANDATORY STANDARDS FOR BUTTON/COIN BATTERIES AND CONSUMER GOODS CONTAINING THEM |
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Yesterday the Federal Government announced the introduction of new regulations to improve the safety of button/coin batteries and consumer goods containing them.
As recommended by the ACCC, four new mandatory standards have been introduced:
· Consumer Goods (Products Containing Button/Coin Batteries) Safety Standard 2020
· Consumer Goods (Products Containing Button/Coin Batteries) Information Standard 2020
· Consumer Goods (Button/Coin Batteries) Safety Standard 2020
· Consumer Goods (Button/Coin Batteries) Information Standard 2020
The new mandatory safety and information standards will require:
- Secure battery compartments for consumer goods that contain button/coin batteries, where the batteries are intended to be replaced, to prevent children from gaining access to the batteries.
- Compliance testing of consumer goods that contain button/coin batteries, whether or not the batteries are intended to be replaced, to demonstrate the battery is secure and cannot be easily released.
- Child-resistant packaging for button/coin batteries, based on their risk profile, to prevent children from gaining access to the batteries.
- Warnings and information to alert consumers that a button/coin battery is included with the product.
The new standards take effect on 22 December 2020 and an 18-month transition period applies from this date. Suppliers have until June 2022 to comply with the new requirements.
Media releases issued yesterday by the Assistant Treasurer and the ACCC can be downloaded below.
Further information on the ACCC’s Final Recommendation and the new mandatory standards are available via the Product Safety Australia website below.
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NEOMETALS TO BUILD BATTERY RECYCLING DEMO PLANT |
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Neometals and its giant JV partner, German-headquartered SMS group have delivered on key design, procurement and permitting milestones, paving the way for its lithium-ion battery recycling demonstration plant to be built. The innovative pair recently received approvals to build the demonstration plant at SMS’s manufacturing centre in the German town of Hilchenbach as they look to commercialise their joint recycling technology in Europe.
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LMFP - THE FUTURE OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES |
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Lithium ferro phosphate (‘LFP’) has long been considered the leading lithium-ion battery (‘LIB’) type in terms of safety, cost and durability. The one downside, though, is its energy density (capacity), or lack thereof, compared to other LIB types such as NCA (nickel cobalt aluminium) and NCM (nickel cobalt manganese). However, NCA and NCM are subject to supply chain constraints, particularly in relation to cobalt, which often originates from regions of conflict and/or countries in which human rights are violated and child labour rife. Not so LFP, of which the common and low-cost precursors are iron and phosphorous (not a conflict metal in sight!).
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$16 MILLION BOOST TO TASMANIAN RECYCLING |
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A landmark agreement between the Federal Government and Tasmanian State Government is set to deliver a $16 million boost to the state’s recycling industry. Federal Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley and Tasmania’s Minister for Environment and Parks, Roger Jaensch signed an $11 million joint funding agreement last week.
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SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA PUBLISHES USEFUL STATE/TERRITORY COMPARISON TABLE OF WHS REQUIREMENTS |
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Safe Work Australia has published a table comparing the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and the WHS Acts adopted by the jurisdictions with harmonised laws.
The table outlines the similarities and differences between the WHS Acts. Some jurisdictions have made minor variations to their WHS Act to make it consistent with other laws and processes.
Businesses that operate in more than one jurisdiction can use the comparison table to identify how the relevant WHS Acts differ in harmonised jurisdictions.
Most jurisdictions have implemented the model WHS Act. Western Australia has implemented the model WHS Act but it will not commence operation until regulations are finalised. The model WHS Act has not been implemented in Victoria.
The table will be updated periodically in consultation with jurisdictions, for example, to reflect any amendments to the model WHS Act or jurisdiction WHS Acts.
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LITHIUM AUSTRALIA CAPITALISES ON EXPLORATION ASSETS |
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In a recent interview, Adrian Griffin, managing director of Lithium Australia NL (ASX: LIT, ‘the Company’), comments on a recent transaction designed to reduce exploration risk while retaining the upside provided by exploration success. The interview also provides a progress report on the spent-batteries-to-fertiliser field trials currently being undertaken by the Company in Western Australia, as well as developments in the lithium-ion battery industry.
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CAR BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM IN QLD SAVES TONNES OF WASTE FROM LANDFILL |
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A battery recycling program is allowing the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) to reduce its environmental footprint and prevent 2500 tonnes of potential waste from going to landfill each year.
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WHAT HAPPENS TO OLD EV BATTERIES? |
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EV batteries are gaining a new lease on life once they’re no longer needed on the road, which is good news for the environment.
BloombergNEF (BNEF) has released data that forecasts the global mountain of used batteries will amount to 3.4 million by 2025, highlighting the importance of repurposing or recycling as more electrified cars reach the end of their useful life and start showing up at scrapyards.
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HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING AN ABRI MEMBER? |
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ABRI members are actively involved at the forefront of developments in industry and government to address the rapid expansion in the market and ensure that solutions to battery stewardship are practical and far reaching. Together, we influence policy, participate in research, facilitate trials and develop best practices to ensure that battery handling and recovery options are safe, efficient and business friendly. Our members represent the entire supply chain – importers, retailers, energy providers, recyclers, as well as government and research. We rely on member support to provide the latest information, events, best practices and industry trends. If your organisation finds these activities relevant, now is a good time to become involved.
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EU TO MANDATE BATTERY TARGETS |
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Brussels will introduce mandatory recycling targets for battery makers including electric car manufacturers from 2030. The move comes as the EU attempts to meet growing demand for vital raw materials without undermining its ambitious environmental goals.
In an interview with the Financial Times (FT), EU commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevicius explained that an update of the bloc’s battery directive would crack down on the use of hazardous materials and propose “ambitious but realistic” recycling targets for materials used in batteries to help create a “sustainable batteries value chain”.
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LET’S RECAP: 2020, ACCORDING TO BATTERY RECYCLER VAN PEPERZEEL |
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How has this year treated recyclers around the world? In a new weekly interview series, Recycling International poses this question to various entrepreneurs. This time, it’s Dutch battery recycling specialist Johan van Peperzeel sharing his experiences of a ‘rocky’ 2020.
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LITHIUM MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, 2020 - TRENDS, GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AND FORECASTS TO 2030 |
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Lithium Market report 2020 presents a strategic analysis of the global Lithium market over the forecast period from 2020 to 2026. The report presents a unique perspective on the future landscape of how COVID-19 transformed Lithium growth prospects. The overall economic recovery will be the main indicator of the Lithium market recovery from the crisis. To remain competitive, companies must focus on innovation and sustainability. The report provides deep insight into the overall Lithium market structure and business outlook of the global and regional industries.
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MAJOR CHANGES AHEAD IN THE REVISED BATTERIES DIRECTIVE |
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At ICBR 2020 held in Salzburg in September 2020, participants heard the message from Keynote Speaker Mr Mattia Pellegrini, Head of Unit at DG Environment, about the progresses made on the revision of the Batteries Directive. In a more recent communication at the Eurometaux’s Raw Materials Dialogues Week (November 19, 2020) Mr Pellegrini detailed the new approach and several topics covered by the revision of the Batteries Directive. Several key elements of the contribution of Mr. Pellegrini to the Eurometaux’s event have been summarized on ICM’s website.
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GLOBAL LION BATTERY RECYCLER COOPERATION SUMMIT 2021 |
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GDMMC will be holding the Global Lion Battery Recycler Cooperation Summit as a virtual event using the Zoom platform on 28-29 January 2021.
After holding the International Retired EV Battery summit for the last four years, GDMMC decided to hold the Global Lion Battery Recycler Cooperation Summit 2021. Global lion battery recyclers will be invited to talk about their battery recycling and collection status, challenges and potential cooperation opportunities. GDMMC aims to build up a global lion battery recycling union/Alliance, help recyclers from each country to know the latest information of the battery recycling in different countries, and facilitate battery recyclers exchanges and cooperation.
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