2018 management measures: producer collection responsibilities
Applying extended producer responsibility to traction batteries.
- Document / event
- Joint Ministry Document No. 43 (2018)
- Issuing / organising body
- MIIT and six other authorities
- Issued / web publication / original effect
- 2018-01-26 / 2018-02-26 / 2018-08-01
- Nature and status
- Historical document; repealed on 2026-04-01
An early national framework
Seven authorities issued the measures: MIIT, the science and technology ministry, the former environmental protection ministry, the transport and commerce ministries, the former quality-supervision authority and the energy administration. They covered waste traction batteries arising during production, use, recovery, storage and transport, translating the 2016 responsibility framework into battery-specific rules for the 2018–2026 period.
Vehicle manufacturers' collection responsibility
Vehicle manufacturers held primary collection responsibility, with other businesses responsible for their respective production, sales, repair, replacement, removal, dismantling, storage, transport and processing activities. Manufacturers did not have to perform every operation themselves, but had to establish or organise regulated collection and transfer arrangements.
Designing for dismantling
Battery producers were required to adopt standardised, compatible and readily dismantled structures, negotiate access to control interfaces and communication protocols, and supply dismantling and storage information. Vehicles were also to use connections allowing safe removal. Dismantling efficiency consequently depends on product structure and technical information as well as downstream equipment.
Linking vehicle and battery identities
Battery and vehicle producers had to code batteries to relevant standards and associate battery codes with vehicles. Sales, repairs, replacement and ownership changes created dynamic records, providing a basis for national traceability.
Collection networks and regulated transfers
Vehicle manufacturers could establish collection points themselves, jointly or through authorised parties, and publish their locations. After-sales providers, battery-leasing businesses and owners were to transfer waste batteries through designated channels. Unauthorised removal, arbitrary transfers and disposal could create safety and environmental risks.
Historical terminology for further use and recycling
The measures advocated second-life use before material recycling where safety could be controlled. They addressed regrouping, coding, dismantling, crushing, separation, purification and smelting. This was the terminology of the earlier framework. The 2026 regulation no longer uses the second-life category, so the former wording is not a current operating rule.
Transport, safety and environmental requirements
Transport of waste batteries classified as dangerous goods had to follow dangerous-goods transport rules. Processing businesses also needed suitable environmental, safety and process arrangements. The measures supported standards for removal, packaging, transport, residual-energy testing and recovery; the current edition of each relevant standard still needs checking.
Replacement in 2026
Order No. 73 replaced the earlier administrative documents with a more binding joint departmental regulation, clarifying collection responsibilities, project procedures, reporting, inspections and penalties. The earlier measures explain how the framework developed; new projects should follow the current rules.
Sources
- Historical documentJoint ministry document No. 43 of 2018
- Current rulesSix-ministry Order No. 73: interim management measures