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Take-back obligation: join Bebat or another organisation?

Take-back obligation: join Bebat or another organisation?

Do you produce or import batteries and/or battery-operated products and you put them on the Belgian market? If so, you are responsible for the collection and recycling of used batteries and accumulators. In other words: you have to comply with the statutory take-back obligation. Are you obliged to join Bebat for this - or are there alternatives? Let’s take a look.

Do you fall under the legal take-back obligation - or not? 

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Batteries are very useful. It’s impossible to imagine life without them, in fact. But they also contain chemical substances that cannot be allowed to end up in the environment and the residual waste. So separate collecting and recycling is the message. This is why, as a producer/importer, wholesaler  or end seller of batteries or battery-operated products or accumulators, you have a legal obligation to accept used batteries and accumulators free of charge. Including batteries that were not sold by you. You contribute to the collection, processing and recycling of used batteries. And you help make the general public aware of this.

What exactly is expected of you?

Here is the full to-do list:

  • Register;
  • File a declaration of the number of batteries sold to the regional government;
  • Raise awareness and take preventive measures;
  • Set up a  collection system for used batteries covering the whole country;
  • Arrange for the batteries that you have collected to be processed by a recycler who meets the legal regulations in the three regions;
  • Prove that this recycler achieves the minimum recycling efficiency required at European (and regional) level;
  • Report on the above obligations to the three governments.

Do you want to do all this yourself? 

OK. But then you have to set up an individual system for the management of used batteries and submit an individual take-back obligation plan for approval. In the Flemish region to the OVAM. In the Brussels Capital Region, you have to submit an individual prevention and management plan for approval to Leefmilieu Brussel/Bruxelles Environnement, in Wallonia to DSD. This plan describes in detail how you fulfil the take-back obligation.

Please note: in practice only a few companies choose this option.

Aanvaardingsplicht plan

Is there an easier way?

If you join Bebat, then Bebat ensures that you are compliant with the take-back obligation.

Bebat...

  • deals with the regional registration obligation;
  • mounts extensive awareness campaigns;
  • takes preventive measures;
  • collects used batteries*;
  • gives advice on how to deal with batteries at collection points;
  • provides collection equipment free of charge;
  • takes care of recycling with proof of recycling efficiency*;
  • reports to the regional authorities;
  • arranges safe transport, storage and processing of used batteries.

 * Bebat provides a customised solution for batteries > 20 kg (lead batteries > 3 kg) subject to an administrative contribution.

All you have to do is...

  • declare the number of batteries that you put on the market;
  • pay your environmental and administrative contributions;
  • help ensure that the audits run smoothly. 

As you can see:

  • either you can fulfil all the legal obligations yourself; or
  • you can join Bebat, which ensures that you are compliant.

Read more about these two possibilities here

Already convinced that Bebat offers the best solution?

Join Bebat online

Bebat - or another partner?

Bebat manages all used batteries and accumulators, including the batteries that are used to drive hybrid and electric vehicles. These are not collected free of charge, but via a customised service. As well as Bebat, there are other organisations – sector-specific and others – that focus on certain sorts of batteries. In the automobile sector, for example, there are organisations that focus exclusively on batteries that drive hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric passenger cars and light delivery vans, mopeds and motorbikes. Some only offer a few services, not the complete service package.

Used batteries that are collected by Bebat free of charge
Used batteries that are not collected by Bebat free of charge
Ordinary batteries for household use: both rechargeable and non rechargeable batteries Lead starter batteries and lead batteries > 3 kg
Larger (rechargeable) batteries, such as batteries in drills, electric bikes, etc. Batteries used to drive hybrid and electric vehicles
such as cars, buses, forklift trucks and golf carts
Lithium starter batteries Batteries > 20 kg: this is a non-standard collection

Bebat is highly specialised in batteries and has been for 25 years. We take care of all sorts of batteries. From small button cell and AAA batteries to large industrial accumulators and LEV batteries (Light Electric Vehicles).

What makes Bebat the best partner?

As a partner for companies, Bebat is highly specialised in batteries.

And has been for 25 years. We take care of all sorts of batteries. From small button cell and AAA batteries to large industrial accumulators and LEV batteries (Light Electric Vehicles) such as those found on e-bikes, etc.

Bebat’s service package also includes everything that needs to be done for the collection and processing of used batteries. So not just collecting, but also safely transporting, diagnosing, dismantling, sorting and recycling, preparing for second-life applications and so on. Always in the safest way possible.

Batterijen binnenbrengen supermarkt

Bebat has knowledge and experience, but also:

  • > 3,300 member companies
  • a network of 23,514 collection points
  • 3,624 tonnes collected weight
  • 28,915 collections
  • 67.2% collection percentage
  • 90% collection efficiency

For the growing volume of batteries from electric vehicles, Bebat is part of Reneos, the European network that shoulders the burden of everyone active in the mobility sector with a customised service.

And what if I do nothing?

You can of course try to ignore this legal take-back obligation.

But if that comes to light, during an inspection for instance, then the outstanding contributions have to be paid. Backdated three years. And that’s not so pleasant. It’s best to be compliant right away!

In short: 

  • Deal with it yourself or join Bebat? It’s your choice.
  • In practice, most companies join Bebat.
  • You can join quickly and easily online.
  • There are other organisations that operate in the field of used batteries, but Bebat is unique thanks to its wide expertise, long experience, total service package, customised service and the Reneos network in Belgium and Europe.

Convinced that Bebat offers the best solution?

Join online here

Is your company compliant?

Is your company compliant?

Take the great battery test: check whether your company follows all the rules.

Take the test