Extended Battery Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework
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Background
According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, extended producer responsibility is an environmental policy approach that gives producers financial or physical responsibility for a product’s entire lifecycle, including the management or disposal of post-consumer products. EPR in the United States is frequently implemented by the states and can cover multiple products, including plastics and packaging, batteries and e-waste, mattresses, tires, and paint.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requires the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a voluntary EPR framework for batteries that addresses battery recycling goals, cost structures for mandatory recycling, reporting requirements, product design, collection models, and transportation of collected materials. The EPR framework will be informed by input from individuals representing the full battery life cycle, described below.
Scope
The voluntary battery EPR framework and accompanying Report to Congress will consider all battery chemistries (e.g., lithium-based, nickel-metal hydride, alkaline) and small (single-use and rechargeable) and mid-format batteries.
Engagement Overview
Throughout 2025 and early 2026, EPA hosted a series of focused conversations on topics relating to the development of a voluntary EPR framework covering all batteries. The EPR conversations occurred separately from the battery collection best practices and voluntary labeling guidelines working sessions.
In these conversations, EPA asked for input from experts and interested parties on elements that will inform the development of a voluntary battery EPR framework, including but not limited to:
- Covered batteries and products and potential exclusions.
- Producer responsibilities and producer responsibility organization structure.
- Federal, state, and local government roles and responsibilities.
- Goals, targets, and reporting requirements.
- Collection and recycling infrastructure, including cost structures, collection models, transportation, and domestic recycling incentives.
- Product design, including design for recycling.
In the conversations, EPA and DOE asked for feedback from:
- Battery producers, manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and collectors or processors.
- States and municipalities.
- Other relevant parties, such as environmental, energy, or consumer organizations knowledgeable about the current challenges and opportunities facing cost effective battery collection and recycling in the United States and knowledgeable about EPR program development and implementation.
Past Conversations
For more information about this effort, contact batteries@epa.gov.