The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Baroness Hayman of Ullock) (Lab)

My Lords, in 2023, the European Union replaced its 2006 batteries directive with a new batteries regulation. This updated placing on the market requirements, covering design specifications for batteries and requirements relating to information and labelling. These requirements, designed to support the environmental and safety performance of batteries, relate to carbon footprint, performance and durability, recycled content, and removability and replaceability of batteries from devices. The new EU regulation has also introduced specific safety requirements for stationary battery energy storage systems and updates the information requirements to include state of health and expected lifetime. Finally, the EU regulation also introduces the digital battery passport and supply chain due diligence policies for larger organisations. Previous requirements relating to the restriction of certain substances in batteries are carried forward. I welcome the collaborative approach taken in the development of this instrument, which has drawn constructively on expertise from industry and government departments. The enforcement provisions set out in this SI meaningfully strengthen the application of the EU batteries regulation in Northern Ireland, where it has been law since its publication in 2023. By improving compliance in key areas such as battery safety, hazardous substances and environmental performance, it is reasonable to expect positive environmental outcomes through reduced risk of unsafe or environmentally harmful batteries being placed on the market. I am also reassured by the de minimis assessment undertaken in respect of this instrument. Given that the associated costs are minimal and that the instrument introduces no contentious or disproportionate impacts, this approach seems to be both reasonable and appropriate. Of course, it is right that this House scrutinises delegated legislation carefully. I am satisfied this instrument falls within the scope of the parent Act and represents an appropriate use of powers. It is for these reasons that I beg to move.