Taiwan to add Li-ion batteries into goods subject to compulsory recycling levy 
On March 6, 2023, the Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan of Taiwan released the proposed amendment of the notice “The range of articles, their packaging/containers, and operators responsible for recycling, clearance and treatment of these articles and containers.” The manufacturers and importers of the products subject to the notice shall fulfill their responsibilities of making the registration and paying the recycling levy. The proposed amendment revised the definition of “dry cell battery”(*) by adding “lithium-ion battery” with a single cell weight of more than 1kg to the regulation scope. According to the publications released by the Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, the background of this proposed amendment is that it has been necessary to regulate lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems, which have been increasing in recent years.
(*) Based on the definition of the notice, the term “dry cell battery” here covers both primary batteries and secondary batteries. In terms of shape, cylindrical dry cell batteries, button cells and battery packs are included.
Expansion of the coverage of lithium-ion battery
The definition of “dry cell battery” was revised as the table shown below, “lithium-ion battery” with a single cell weight of more than 1kg has been added into the scope (revised contents are in bold, and only the contents related the revision are listed).
| Proposed draft | Current notice |
|---|---|
| A small, sealed battery that converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy and with a single cell weight of less than 1kg (Lithium-ion batteries are not subject to the weight limitation) before assembling. | A small, sealed battery that converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy and with a single cell weight of less than 1kg before assembling. |
Responsible operators
According to the Appendix 1 of the notice, manufacturers and importers are the operators responsible for the collection, removal and disposal of the above dry cell batteries. The responsible operators shall take the following responsibilities in accordance with the “Waste Disposal Act”.
- Registration with the competent authorities (the Environmental Protection Administration, or the government of direct-controlled municipalities and government of counties (municipalities)).
- Declaration the quantities of production and import.
- Payment of recycling levy.
For the original text of the above-mentioned proposed amendment, please refer to the following URL (in Traditional Chinese).
https://enews.epa.gov.tw/Page/3B3C62C78849F32F/cba7b28a-edd8-4b69-bab0-aa75a865d31f
