L 191/1 28.7.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union 1 (Legislative acts) REGULATIONS of 12 July 2023 concerning batteries and waste batteries, amending Directive 2008/98/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Directive 2006/66/EC (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Article 192(1) thereof in relation to Articles 54 to 76 of this Regulation, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1) After consulting the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (2), Whereas: (1) The Communication of the Commission of 11 December 2019 on ‘The European Green Deal' (the 'European Green Deal') is Europe's growth strategy that aims to transform the Union into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. A shift from the use of fossil fuels in vehicles to electromobility is one of the prerequisites for reaching the climate neutrality goal in 2050. In order for the Union's product policies to contribute to lowering carbon emissions on a global level, it needs to be ensured that products marketed and sold in the Union are sourced and manufactured in a sustainable manner. Batteries are thus an important source of energy and one of the key enablers for sustainable development, green (2) mobility, clean energy and climate neutrality. It is expected that the demand for batteries will grow rapidly in the coming years, notably for electric road transport vehicles and light means of transport using batteries for traction making the market for batteries an increasingly strategic one at the global level. Significant scientific and technical progress in the field of battery technology will continue. In view of the strategic importance of batteries, to provide legal certainty to all operators involved and to avoid discrimination, barriers to trade and distortions on the market for batteries, it is necessary to set out rules on the sustainability, performance, safety, collection, recycling and second life of batteries as well as on information about batteries for end-users and economic operators. It is necessary to create a harmonised regulatory framework for dealing with the entire life cycle of batteries that are placed on the market in the Union. () OJ C 220, 9.6.2021, p. 128. (2) Position of the European Parliament of 14 June 2023 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 28 June 2023. L 191/2 Official Journal of the European Union 28.7.2023 EN It is also necessary to update Union law on the management of waste batteries and to take measures to protect (3) the environment and human health by preventing or reducing the adverse impacts of the generation and management of waste, by reducing the impact of resource use and by improving resource efficiency. Such measures are crucial for the transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy and toxic-free environment, and for the Union's long-term competitiveness and strategic autonomy. They can create important economic opportunities, increasing synergies between the circular economy and energy, climate, transport, industry and (4) Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) has brought about an improvement in the environmental performance of batteries and established some common rules and obligations for economic and targets for the management of all waste batteries, based on extended producer responsibility. The Commission's reports on the implementation, impact and evaluation of Directive 2006/66/EC submitted in (5) 2o19 highlighted not only the achievements but also the limitations of that Directive, in parti