BUYER BEWARE!

Watch Out For Rogue Batteries There was a combination of anticipation and confusion over the prospect of the EU Directive 2006/66/EC and its impact on the labelling of batteries in the lead up to its proposed implementation last September. Much of this confusion came from battery businesses who should have known better, misquoting the directive and referring to Regulation (EC) 897/2008 (the ‘REACH’ legislation), which is aimed at the protection of human health and the environment and the competitiveness of the chemical industry, when they were talking about battery labelling. However, with the delay in the introduction of the directive, the confusion has given way to unscrupulous businesses flooding the market with batteries that are blatantly exploiting the delay. The directive places the responsibility upon the battery manufacturers/distributors and wholesalers to ensure that the capacity of all portable, automotive batteries and accumulators is indicated on them in a visible, indelible and legible form. For automotive batteries (including leisure and marine batteries), the capacity of every battery in Ampere Hours (Ah) at the 20-hour rate is provided and complimented by an indication of the ability of the battery to start an engine in cold climate, i.e. the “Cold Cranking Amperes” (CCA). The batteries in question imply that they are a certain capacity, either directly through their stated capacity or indirectly through their reference number, when in fact they are of a lower capacity. The message from Manbat, the UK’s largest battery distributor, is to ensure that the trade source their batteries from reputable suppliers and that the public opt for recognised battery brands. The trade and public alike can be assured that all batteries supplied by Manbat fully comply with the labelling directive. For more information relating to the battery directive, or any other battery storage issue, please contact Manbat Customer Services on: 01743 460790 or visit: www.manbat.co.uk ENDS

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