To promote the recycling of used batteries, a 'recycled material certification system' will be introduced. The Ministry of Environment plans to implement a 'recycled material usage target system' for batteries manufactured or imported in the country.
On the 14th, the Ministry of Environment announced measures to promote 'battery circular use' at a meeting of economic ministers held at the Government Sejong Center. This plan consists of four areas and 14 major policy tasks: ▲Creation of a circular use market ▲Stabilization of supply of recyclable resources ▲Technological innovation and strengthening competitiveness ▲Establishment of a lifecycle management foundation.
First, the Ministry of Environment will introduce a recycled material certification system to respond to international environmental regulations and enhance the reliability of recycled materials. It will certify precious metals, such as nickel sulfate recovered from discarded batteries or defective products, as recycled materials and verify whether these materials are used in new batteries and their content ratio.
The government plans to establish specific certification details this year and conduct pilot operations before full implementation in 2027. It will also provide consulting to corporations on how to obtain certification.
The government also plans to introduce a recycled material usage target system for batteries manufactured or imported in Korea. The scope of the Producer Responsibility Recycling System (EPR) will expand to all electrical and electronic products starting in 2026, increasing the battery recovery rate from waste products. Various incentives will be offered, such as reducing the recovery and recycling obligation amount when batteries using recycled materials are equipped with EPR-targeted products.
The government will also support exploring sales channels for products utilizing used batteries. It will include reused product categories in the environmentally friendly certification items and designate them as innovative products for public procurement. Furthermore, to support the entry of domestic recycling corporations into overseas markets, it plans to develop eco-friendly recycling technologies and rent out currently operated recycling resource storage facilities as recycling material product storage places to assist in importing foreign materials.
The foundation for lifecycle management will also be strengthened. Starting from the design stage, eco-friendly design standards will be established, considering circular usability, and improvements in materials or structures will be encouraged to promote circular use. To enhance safety during transportation and storage, fire response guidelines will be developed, and ultra-low temperature cooling transportation and storage technologies will be created to reduce the risk of fire and explosion.