MANUFACTURING
A year of CE marking: How CE marking for batteries has
impacted manufacturers The introduction of mandatory CE marking for batteries in August 2024 marked a major shift for manufacturing industries. This was the first serious attempt to bring all types of batteries, including portable, industrial, electric vehicle (EV) and light means of transport (LMT) under a single framework.
By Stephen Holland, quality, health & safety, environmental manager at industrial battery manufacturer, Accutronics,
T
he goal of CE marking was simple in theory: ensuring all batteries placed on the EU market comply with the EU Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542). However, the requirements that are necessary to comply with this regulation are slowly being rolled out, with labelling updates needed by August 2026, battery passports coming into force in 2027 for certain battery types and recycled content thresholds being enforced in 2031.
For manufacturers, this first year has been about more than applying a new label. It has required manufacturers to start planning for the imminent additional phases and think about how batteries are designed, documented and delivered. From supply chain transparency to new testing and labelling standards, the regulation has reshaped expectations across the entire sector. At Accutronics, we’ve spent the last year navigating these changes while supporting customers through the transition.
Establishing a common standard Traditionally, the battery industry lacked any unified approach to conformity and traceability. In contrast, the new framework brings much-needed structure, standardising how batteries are tested, labelled and documented. It also enhances accountability. Manufacturers must now show that their products meet defined safety, environmental and performance standards and are recyclable and clearly marked for end-of-life management.
The regulation divides batteries into five categories. This distinction avoids a “one-size- fits-all” approach, placing stricter demands on large, high-energy batteries such as those
34 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS
used in EVs, while allowing lighter obligations for some smaller, portable cells. However, this distinction has also caused confusion. Some customers initially believed they needed to comply with measures such as the digital battery passport, but this only comes into effect in 2027 for electric vehicle (EV), light means of transport (LMT) and industrial batteries (over 2kWh). Once we sat down and clarified which rules applied to which battery types, managing compliance became simpler.
Lessons from the first year It has been over a year since the initial rollout of the CE mark and the experiences of manufacturers and customers have been mixed, to say the least. Some companies, the
early adopters, were quick to act, familiarising themselves with the new guidelines and futureproofing their products. Meanwhile, others are still catching up, a few are keen to become compliant early, while some are yet to put the processes in place. Ideally, we’d like to see everyone moving forward at the same pace, but that’s not yet happening. The first phases have shown us how demanding the process can be, particularly around documentation, testing and supply chain transparency. Smaller manufacturers seem to have found this more challenging, while larger firms with more resources, or even dedicated compliance departments, have adjusted more easily.
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