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1. ONLINE SEMINAR - TRANSPORTING & PACKING LITHIUM BATTERIES UNDER THE ADG (2PM AEST, WED 8 FEB) |
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Join ABIA and ABRI members for a presentation on the requirements for transporting lithium batteries including driver training, load management, packaging, placarding and parking.
Matt Arkell, the Principal Technical Advisor – Dangerous Goods at NSW EPA will give an overview of the requirements. He will also discuss the guide to lithium battery transport under development by the NSW EPA and due for release on their website.
The presentation will be followed by a short Q&A session.
To register for the presentation and receive the Zoom details use this link.
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2. PROPOSED PV STEWARDSHIP SCHEME - POTENTIAL IMPACTS FOR USED HOUSEHOLD ENERGY STORAGE BATTERIES |
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The Commonwealth’s e-stewardship team is consulting with industry on proposed collection options for solar panels – see DRAFT_Issue Paper 2 – Collection mechanisms of potential E-Stewardship Regulation. While the regulations are proposed to focus on PV collection, the team is also looking at what risks or issues relating to decommissioned batteries should also apply to potential PV collection models (see below) given energy storage batteries could also be dropped off. They are examining three PV collection models.
Please contact Katharine Hole, ABRI’s CEO, to discuss whether the proposed models will have implications for your battery recycling collection business and/or provide suggestions about best practice safety for decommissioned household batteries.
Proposed PV collection models – will these have implications for your battery recycling business?
- Collection service hubs – private, local government or state government managed collection service hubs could be established to manage the large waste volumes associated with end-of-life PV systems. Similar to household e-product collection services, regulations could require free drop-off and include relevant collection rights to ensure the service hubs do not incur unnecessary or disproportionate financial burden for providing collection services.
- Distributor/Retailer/installer collection – entities (such as solar system retailers/installers) could apply to be accredited entities. This could leverage existing accreditation programs such as the Clean Energy Council accredited installer program or establish a new accreditation approach. These entities would then be entitled to free collection services from the scheme administrator. However, these collection rights would include limitations such as maximum collection frequency, minimum collection weights, and health and safety requirements. Approved entities would be required to take-back old systems free of charge regardless of whether they were responsible for their initial installation.
- Collection services provided directly by scheme administrator/s – it is anticipated that any potential scheme will have a requirement or target in relation to equitable access to scheme services across Australia. Access provided by third parties (e.g. installer take-back) would be eligible to support achieving this target. However, where these services fall short of meeting the national access target the scheme administrator/s would be required to establish scheme administered collection sites to ensure the scheme’s access target is met.
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3. ADG 7.8 TO COMMENCE 1 APRIL 2023 |
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ADG 7.8 will commence on 1 April 2023, with a 12 month transition period. The National Transport Commission advises that during the transition period, compliance can be achieved via either ADG 7.7 or ADG 7.8.
Please note that some jurisdictions may not have the necessary amendments made to their regulations in time for the 1 April commencement date. You should check with the relevant competent authority (regulator) in your state or territory. A list of competent authorities is available here.
The following documents are available on the Australian Dangerous Goods Code page on the NTC website:
- ADG 7.8, does not include ADG 7.8, Appendix C – Emergency Action (Hazchem) Codes
- ADG 7.8, Appendix C – Emergency Action (Hazchem) Codes. This appendix reproduces information that is subject to a copyright agreement that prohibits it from being printed or copied from. It has been produced separately to the main ADG 7.8 to enable stakeholders to print, and copy and paste from the main text.
- ADG 7.8 Explanatory Document
- Overview of differences between 7.7 and 7.8
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4. OUTCOMES FROM UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY/ABRI WORKSHOP ON NSW LITHIUM BATTERY RECYCLING AND REUSE FRAMEWORK |
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The outcomes paper is now available from the University of Sydney / ABRI workshop on 30 November on Regulating so used batteries safely become a feedstock for new batteries.
Twenty-five industry and government participants attended the workshop with these themes emerging:
- The most serious risk at end of life is fire. The primary cause of fires is damaged batteries
- Issues are amplified in regional/remote areas due to limited technical skills, transport costs, etc
- Large batteries have narrower and more sophisticated reverse logistics chains than consumer batteries
- Best practice is still an evolving space especially storage arrangements
- Regulation and compliance processes are inconsistent and complex
The issues paper is part of an ongoing discussion and presents themes emerging from the workshop on the risks and challenges of recycling and reusing lithium batteries. It does not reflect the views of any individual or organisation.
Many thanks to those ABRI members who attended and shared their knowledge and expertise. For those who weren’t able to attend, this is starting point for discussion and continuing engagement over the life of this project. The first stage of the project a regulatory guide to lithium battery regulation in NSW is due for completion on 30 June.
Penelope Crossley, the Sydney University associate law professor, leading this project and Katharine Hole, ABRI CEO, would welcome feedback and ongoing discussions with you so please reach out to either or both of us. Contact details are
Email Katharine Hole
Email Penelope Crossley
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5. WA CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED BAN ON BATTERY DISPOSAL TO LANDFILL |
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The WA Government is consulting on a proposed ban on e-waste, including batteries, disposal to landfill. Consultation closes 31 March.
ABRI is considering making a submission with the following key points:
- Supports the ban so long as funding available for infrastructure and education. Bans are not effective without alternative routes for battery disposal and consumer engagement on safe and responsible used battery drop off.
- Requests greater assistance is required to support collection in regional areas and safe collection drop box infrastructure
- Clarity is required around used lithium battery regulatory requirements, particularly storage. Streamlined transport rules and consistency with other jurisdictions is critical given battery recycling is a national industry
- Time is given to establish the necessary collection, consolidation and recycling infrastructure and build on the existing B-cycle drop-off network.
If you have comments or concerns, please contact ABRI’s CEO, Katharine Hole, via email. Katharine has meetings planned with WA Government officials over the coming month to raise awareness about battery recycling industry priorities and raise member feedback on the proposed ban.
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6. BUILDING THE VOICE OF THE BATTERY RECYCLING INDUSTRY – JOIN THE ABRI COMMS WORKING GROUP |
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This is a great opportunity to promote the battery recycling industry and meet fellow ABRI members – join ABRI’s new communications working group to strengthen the industry’s voice and raise awareness about the step change underway across the industry. The working group will develop a comms strategy, key messages about the industry and update the ABRI website to focus on B2B business development.
Email ABRI’s CEO, Katharine Hole, if you are interested in participating.
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