Recycled Content Targets
Mandatory minimum thresholds for recovering critical materials from waste batteries.
Driving the Circular Economy
To reduce reliance on newly mined materials, the regulation forces manufacturers to use minimum percentages of recycled critical raw materials in new batteries.
The 2031 Thresholds
Beginning in August 2031 (104 months after the regulation enters into force), new EV and industrial batteries must contain at least:
| Material | 2031 Minimum Target | 2036 Minimum Target |
|---|---|---|
| Cobalt | 16% | 26% |
| Lead | 85% | 85% |
| Lithium | 6% | 12% |
| Nickel | 6% | 15% |
Tracking Burden
Proving these percentages requires a strict mass-balance accounting system that tracks recovered materials from the recycling facility back into the active cathode material manufacturing process.