The KASVA project organized the Virtaveistämö event in August 2024 at Centria’s facilities in Ylivieska. The event focused on the reuse of batteries and the regulations associated with it. The aim was to provide companies, business developers, and other interested parties with up-to-date information on the regulatory and practical requirements, as well as responsibilities, associated with battery recycling operations.
The morning's keynote speeches covered topics such as battery storage, facility requirements, regulatory requirements, CE marking processes, and battery product passports. In the afternoon, there were two workshops, one focusing on battery construction and the other intended for business developers to enhance their expertise in consulting on battery recycling business. The latter workshop delved into how to establish a battery recycling company and what needs to be considered.
The workshops and speeches examined business practices from various perspectives. Handling used batteries comes with risks: batteries can release substances harmful to the human body during handling, and damaged batteries can self-ignite. Before starting operations, it is advisable to have a building and fire inspector examine the premises. They assess the suitability of the planned space and any necessary modifications. This is crucial for both personal safety and ensuring the validity of insurance. Investing in work gear, protective equipment, first aid supplies, and fire extinguishing equipment is recommended.
It’s essential to familiarize oneself with electrical safety, product liability, and occupational safety laws, at least on a surface level. If working with batteries below 120 volts as a sole entrepreneur, the bureaucracy is relatively light. It's also good to remember that authorities like Tukes offer guidance and consulting services that should be utilized.
The new battery regulation and its associated battery passport bring a substantial amount of additional regulatory requirements. The regulation came into effect in February 2024 and introduces strict requirements for battery safety, durability, and recyclability. Reuse and remanufacturing are defined as processes that restore a battery's original lifespan, allowing them to be reintroduced to the market as fully functional products. This requires thorough documentation and CE markings to ensure the safety and compliance of the products.
The battery regulation includes a requirement for a digital battery passport. This allows tracking how well a battery meets the set standards for durability, safety, and recyclability. A reused or repurposed battery will require a new battery passport. In practice, this means that even repaired batteries must have a new passport.
There are concerns that the new battery regulation could stifle battery manufacturing for reuse due to the high documentation requirements, potentially making it unfeasible to manufacture individual batteries. The regulation will be implemented in stages, and the battery passport must be in use starting from February 18, 2027. The coming years will reveal how much additional documentation will be required for reused batteries.
Virtaveistämö was particularly beneficial for business service staff, as it provided concrete tools and information that can be utilized in customer service. The practical nature of the workshops, combined with expert presentations, ensured that participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory requirements and responsibilities of the battery recycling business, as well as the groundwork needed before starting operations.
Virtaveistämö is an excellent example of how a one-day event can present all the necessary basic information about the sector's requirements and elevate business service expertise to a level where guidance and consulting services can be offered. Thanks to the content of Virtaveistämö, participants gained a good overall picture of the requirements of the battery recycling sector and how to guide and assist a client planning to start a battery recycling business.
The KASVA - Sustainable growth in SMEs through regional collaboration of research, innovation, and business development services project is a group initiative involving low-threshold business service providers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovation actors from various parts of Northern Ostrobothnia. The main goal of the project is to promote sustainable growth, renewal, and development of regional companies, their adaptability to change, and the vitality and attractiveness of the regions. The project is co-funded by the EU, and its lead implementer is the University of Oulu. Other implementers include Centria University of Applied Sciences, the Haapavesi-Siikalatva Region Joint Municipal Authority, the Koillis-Suomi Development Company Naturpolis Oy, the Municipality of Liminka, the Nivala-Haapajärvi Region NIHAK ry, the Federation of Entrepreneurs of Northern Ostrobothnia, and Utajärvi Business Park Oy, each leading its own subproject.
Author: Pasi Anttila, Project Manager, Haapavesi-Siikalatva Region Development Center
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