Distributors

The UK Batteries Regulations require distributors (ie those selling portable batteries to end users as a profession) to take back waste portable batteries free of charge from end users.

The Vehicle Certification Agency is responsible for enforcing the take-back duties of distributors and retailers.

Distributors are:

  • retailers that buy batteries from a UK supplier and then sell them to end users;

  • online retailers that buy audio equipment (with batteries included) from a UK supplier and then sell them over the internet to end users;

  • wholesalers that buy batteries from a UK supplier and sell to both end users and retail outlets.

Companies can be both distributors and producers, eg a shop that sells batteries purchased from UK suppliers (distributor) and calculators that include batteries it imports into the UK (producer).

  • Distributors must accept waste portable batteries without charge when they sell more than 32 kg of batteries a year. This requirement is from 1 February 2010 regardless of the method of sale used.

  • Distributors must also provide information to end users at sales points about their arrangements for taking back waste batteries.

  • Distributors who sell equipment containing batteries do not have to take back batteries from end users unless they also sell batteries separately.

Further information on distributor responsibilities can be found from page 39 onwards of the Government Guidance Notes. (pdf link 342kb)