China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), together with four other government bodies including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, issued the Interim Measures for the Administration of Recycling and Comprehensive Utilization of Spent Power Batteries from New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) on January 16, 2026. The regulation will come into force on April 1, 2026.
The new Measures establish eco-design and extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations for manufacturers and importers of power batteries and NEVs. They also introduce two major mechanisms: a digital identification management system for power batteries and a simultaneous scrapping system for vehicles and their power batteries.
Background
According to estimates from research institutions, China’s power batteries are entering a large-scale retirement phase, with the annual volume of spent batteries expected to exceed 1 million tons by 2030. The Measures were developed under legal frameworks such as the Circular Economy Promotion Law of China and the Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste.
The objective is to strengthen the recycling and comprehensive utilization of spent NEV batteries, promote resource circulation, and prevent environmental pollution resulting from improper disposal.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Obligations
Manufacturers and importers of power batteries and NEVs sold or used in China are designated as responsible entities for the recycling of spent batteries. Their key responsibilities include:
Eco-design Requirements
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Power battery manufacturers/importers: Must prioritize designs that allow easy disassembly, use recyclable materials, and avoid toxic or hazardous substances prohibited by the government.
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NEV manufacturers/importers: Must adopt fastening and connection systems that enable safe maintenance and battery removal.
Battery Coding Requirements
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Power battery manufacturers/importers: Must label batteries in accordance with GB/T 34014 Coding Rules for Automotive Traction Batteries, with codes applied to battery cells and packs.
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NEV manufacturers/importers: Not applicable.
Provision of Recycling Information
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Power battery manufacturers/importers: Must provide battery codes and dismantling information to NEV manufacturers and automotive repair enterprises.
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NEV manufacturers/importers: Must disclose vehicle maintenance information in line with national requirements.
Establishment of Recycling Networks
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Power battery manufacturers/importers: Must establish recycling service outlets in provinces where batteries are sold, either independently or through authorized entities.
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NEV manufacturers/importers: Must set up recycling service outlets in prefecture-level cities where NEVs are sold, proportional to their sales volume.
Information Reporting
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Power battery manufacturers/importers: Must report information on spent batteries generated during R&D, manufacturing, or repair to the national platform within 15 days after removal from storage.
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NEV manufacturers/importers:
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Must report battery disassembly technical information within six months after obtaining product access approval or compulsory product certification.
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Must report vehicle information—including vehicle type, model, identification code, and battery code—within 20 days after issuing the certificate of conformity or completing customs inspection.
Digital Identification Management System
Article 12 of the Measures introduces a digital identification system for NEV power batteries. The identification will contain key information on battery classification, structure, disposal, and recycling. Detailed implementation rules will be issued separately.
Simultaneous Scrapping System
Article 21 establishes a simultaneous scrapping requirement, meaning that when an NEV is scrapped, its power battery must also be scrapped at the same time. Vehicles submitted without their original batteries will be considered incomplete. This measure aims to prevent the illegal reuse of retired batteries.
Implementation
The Measures will take effect on April 1, 2026. Once implemented, several existing regulations will be repealed, including:
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Interim Measures for the Administration of Recycling of NEV Power Batteries
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Interim Provisions on the Traceability Management of NEV Power Batteries
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Guidelines for the Construction and Operation of NEV Power Battery Recycling Service Outlets
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Measures for the Administration of Cascade Utilization of NEV Power Batteries
