Battery Circular Economy News

1. ABRI CONFERENCE SHOWCASING THE AUSTRALIAN BATTERY RECYCLING INDUSTRY - SECURE YOUR PLACE NOW FOR THE EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT

ABRI is excited to announce its first conference to showcase the battery recycling industry. This is a one day event in Sydney on 31 August to examine the opportunity for the battery recycling sector and a circular economy, the challenges and how industry can be ready at scale to support electrification.

ABRI has secured a 25% reduction for members on the conference price and encourages members to register before 22 June to receive the early bird discount.

There are also a number of sponsorship opportunities for interested members.

Further details can be found at Australian Battery Summit.

The conference is being organised in partnership with Spire Events

2. UPDATING ABRI GUIDELINES FOR PACKING AND SAFE TRANSPORT OF USED LEAD ACID BATTERIES (ULAB)

ABRI is updating its Guidelines for packing and safe transport of ULAB and a revised draft Guideline will be circulated to members for comment in mid June. The proposed changes to the guidelines are set out below and members are invited to email the ABRI secretariat with proposals for other updates.

Proposed changes to the Guidelines

• Add information on the: National Heavy Vehicle Law and Associated Waste and Recycling Industry Code of Practice; and the National Transport Commission’s load restraint guides to ensure compliance with load restraint standards for light and heavy vehicles in Australia.
• Note a preference for machine wrapping where possible
• Note that used lithium batteries cannot be packed with ULAB. The National Heavy Vehicle Law establishes Chain of Responsibility requirements which captures parties packaging batteries. This includes ensuring the business has and uses the resources required to eliminate or minimise the hazards and risks created by its transport activities.
• Clarification around the requirements for stacking ULAB by 2 or 3 layers which are determined by the weight limits of the pallet on which the batteries are stacked
• Provide information on interstate waste tracking and permits, particularly to address changes in Victoria

Thanks to ABRI member DGL who has agreed to responsor the update to the Guidelines.

3. VIC EPA – ULAB GENERAL DESIGNATION IS NOW IN PLACE

Thanks to all the ABRI members who have supported advocacy to achieve a safe and sustainable outcome for industry. ABRI has requested Vic EPA hold an information session for the industry and is waiting confirmation on the date. In the interim, if you have questions please email Vic EPA at contact@epa.vic.gov.au.

The Vic EPA has developed a statutory instrument to reclassify Used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) as non-reportable priority waste when transported or stored in small volumes. This instrument is called a general designation and the full version can be found in the Victorian Government Gazette (p.671). If you handle ULAB in Victoria, please read the designation to determine how the changes will apply to your business.

The Vic EPA notes that the change supports community drop-off sites such as mechanics, retailers and roadside assist services with smaller ULAB quantities (see thresholds below) so long as they meet safety conditions for managing ULABs safely. This means that waste tracking and transport permissions and storage permissions will be different for those with smaller quantities of ULAB. The safety conditions are consistent with requirements under:

• Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7.7
• ABRI Guidelines: Packing & Safe Transport of Used Lead Acid Batteries (see story above about updates to the Guidelines)
• EPA guidelines on liquids storage and handling https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/1698

Transporting ULABs with less than 4 tonnes or a total combined electrolyte volume of less than 1,000 litres

Classification – priority waste
Transport permission – not required
Waste tracking – not required

For any greater volumes, ULABs remain classified as reportable priority waste.

• the waste generator must start a Waste Tracker record using the appropriate code before handing the ULABs to the transporter
• the transporter must hold an A10b transport permission
• the receiver must complete the record upon receipt.

Receiving or storing ULABs

ULABs are classified as industrial waste when less than 5 cubic metres are stored at any time. No EPA permission is needed to receive and store ULABS within this limit.

ULABs are classified as priority waste when the volume received or stored is:

• less than 40 tonnes
• has a total combined electrolyte volume of less than 10,000 litres.

An A13c registration is required for storing this amount of priority waste.

For any greater volumes, ULABs remain classified as reportable priority waste. An A01 (Reportable Priority Waste Management) licence is required.

Processing ULABs

Regardless of the amount of ULAB received, an operating licence under A01 (Reportable Priority Waste Management), is required where ULABs are:

• treated
• processed
• dismantled
• drained

4. MAJOR ADG CODE REVIEW – CONSULTATION ON REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT IN VEHICLES (E.G. RESPIRATORS) AND FIRE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED WHEN TRANSPORTING DANGEROUS GOODS

Two new consultationsare now open on the National Transport Commission project page website. These are part of the comprehensive review of the Australian Code for the transport of dangerous goods by road & rail (ADG Code).

Safety Equipment for Dangerous Goods Transport  – Working group paper #4 and Fire Extinguishers for Dangerous Goods Transport – Working group paper #5 are the latest in a series of topic specific papers that will be released over the next 12 months.

Working group paper #4 deals with questions relating to emergency equipment that is required to be carried when transporting dangerous goods. This paper also includes some questions relating to the instructions in writing in the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). These instructions are used as an aid during an accident emergency situation that may occur or arise during carriage. They are required to be carried in the vehicle crew’s cab and be readily available during transport.

Working group paper #5 deals specifically with the fire extinguishers that are required to be carried on vehicles transporting dangerous goods. In doing this, it also examines the appropriateness of required firefighting medium, and alternative fire suppression systems.

The National Transport Commission is seeking stakeholder views on consultation questions in the Executive Summary and throughout each document. They are also interested in evidence and other information stakeholders can provide to support their views.

Consultation closes 9 July 2023.

5. AUSTRALASIAN INSTITUTE OF DANGEROUS GOODS CONSULTANTS (AIDGC) – HOW CAN THEIR WORK HELP YOU WITH SAFE BATTERY HANDLING AND STORAGE? INFORMATION SESSION 1PM, MONDAY 5 JUNE

Frank Mendham, the AIDGC President will provide an overview of the AIDGC with a specific focus on batteries. Please email if you’d like to receive an invite to the presentation.

AIDGC is an independent industry body with over 60 member consultants that:

• Sets and administers standards of conduct and competency of members
• Requires members to update and demonstrate specialised knowledge, expertise and experience in dangerous goods matters. Continued membership includes competency reassessment.
• Contributes to the development and review of dangerous goods Regulations, codes of practice and industry standards.
• Provides and requires mandatory ongoing training and development for members, including increasing knowledge of, and expertise in, the conduct of DG hazard assessment and related risk management.

6. NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE REGULATOR MASTER CODE REVIEW

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Master Code applies to the whole of the heavy vehicle industry. The Code applies to all parties including those engaging transport operators through the Chain of Responsibility. It is a source of information about safety in heavy vehicle transport. The Regulator publishes a list of risks and controls under the Code that is useful for the battery recycling industry to consider in engaging transport operators.

The timeline for the review of the Code is at Master Code Review information and timeline.

The first step (June/July) is to provide written feedback or comments about the current version of the Master Code and to respond to these questions:

• Are the hazards, risks, and controls in the code still comprehensive and relevant?
• Are there new hazards, risks and controls that should be included?
• Are there existing controls that should be updated or altered?
• Is the code practical, clear and easy to follow?

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