End-of-life refers to the stage at which a battery becomes waste and falls under the collection, treatment, and recycling obligations of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. The Regulation sets collection targets, recycling efficiency targets, and material recovery rates for materials such as cobalt, copper, lead, lithium, and nickel. End-of-life is distinct from repurposing and second life, which extend a battery’s use before it becomes waste; once a battery reaches end of life its passport reflects that its lifecycle has ceased.
Glossary
End-of-life
Last updated 1 June 2026