LeadBattery360° (LB360) responsible production assurance framework aims to improve global supply chain practices in the lead battery sector.

A new program to promote sustainable and responsible production practices in the lead battery supply chain has been launched by a global coalition of industry associations.

The LeadBattery360° (LB360) certification program will identify leaders in responsible production and material sourcing practices within the lead battery supply chain. The program is open to any industrial site involved in lead battery manufacturing, recycling, or primary lead production. It is expected that multiple sites worldwide will sign up for the new program in its first year.

The LB360 responsible production assurance framework has been developed by the International Lead Association, Battery Council International, the Association of Automotive and Industrial Battery Producers (EUROBAT), and the Association of Battery Recyclers. A not-for-profit foundation based in the United States will manage the effort supported by a multi-stakeholder advisory panel made up of a wide range of stakeholders including customers, investors, regulators, and civil society.

Under the framework, organizations will be independently assessed by a third party to confirm they have successfully implemented policies and practices that meet the requirements of the LB360’s seven “guiding principles”.

The LB360° guiding principles are:

• Support responsible battery manufacturing and recycling by placing environmental health and safety excellence at the heart of operations.
• Promote the sound management of lead exposure and emissions by setting continuous improvement targets and sharing best practices.
• Adopt responsible sourcing policies for lead-containing materials, seek to identify risks in the supply chain, and use influence to promote best practices for EHS performance in suppliers’ operations.
• Minimize the environmental impact of products by encouraging the development of programs that ensure effective collection, transportation and environmentally sound recycling of used lead batteries.
• Adopt business practices that consider the communities impacted by operations, respect the human and labour rights of employees and work against corruption in all forms.
• Proactively engage key stakeholders in an open and transparent manner.
• Partner with key stakeholders and government agencies to share our expertise and promote environmentally sound recycling of lead batteries low- and medium-income countries.

Participating companies will sign a letter of commitment to the program and complete a site assessment within 12 months. They will need to demonstrate that they fully meet critical LB360 performance expectations and agree to address any other gaps through a performance improvement plan within 24 months of signing the letter.

Dr. Andy Bush, Executive Director of the International Lead Association, said: “Through this scheme, the companies who have signed up for the first wave of assessments are demonstrating their commitment to adopting the highest standards of stewardship across the lead production and battery manufacturing industries. This is a first of its kind in our industry. And the new foundation, supported by a multi-stakeholder advisory board, will ensure the scheme has robust and independent governance.”

“Battery Council International has a long history of supporting industry-led health and safety standards across North America that are stricter than those created by local government regulators,” said Roger Miksad, President and Executive Director of Battery Council International. “LeadBattery360 will allow our industry to share its expertise and best practices that already protect the health and safety of millions of citizens in the U.S. and Canada and help battery companies everywhere in the world operate as safely and responsibly as BCI’s member firms do.”

Mark DeLaquil, General Counsel of the Association of Battery Recyclers, said: “The LeadBattery360° framework represents an important opportunity to extend responsible recycling practices. While facilities in the U.S. and Canada already operate under the world’s most stringent environmental, health, and safety standards, this program allows the industry to share expertise and help establish similar standards globally. We are proud to support this initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to empowering responsible recycling and advancing sustainability worldwide.”

Gert Meylemans, General Manager of EUROBAT, said: “EUROBAT and its members are proud to support the LeadBattery360° initiative, a key step in promoting responsible and sustainable practices across the global lead battery supply chain. This program strengthens environmental and social standards in both developing and mature markets while reaffirming the industry’s commitment to ethics and continuous improvement. EUROBAT looks forward to further promoting LeadBattery360° among its members and European member states.”

For more information on LB360 please contact Hywel Jarman at ILA on +44 7718 483887 or Jarman@ila-lead.org or Jeff Reeves at Battery Council International, via media@batterycouncil.org

About Lead Battery 360°

In 2019, a global alliance of lead and lead battery industry groups adopted a set of seven Guiding Principles designed to help further protect workers and the environment. The Guiding Principles are designed to promote sustainable practices in three key areas. First, to encourage continuous improvement in the management of lead exposure and emissions through responsible health and safety and environmentally sound production practices. Second, to promote the adoption of responsible sourcing policies, working through supply chains to ensure that the lead used for battery manufacturing is sourced from companies that uphold high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Third, to further minimize the environmental impact of used lead batteries through responsible recycling practices.

About International Lead Association

ILA is the only global trade association dedicated exclusively to representing lead producers and supporting a sustainable future for lead. Many of our members are companies recycling lead from end-of-life products, contributing to a circular economy by creating economic value from waste. ILA members also produce lead from mining, smelting and refining of lead ores and concentrates. Associate members include companies with a direct interest in lead and its many important uses.

About Battery Council International

Battery Council International (BCI) is the leading trade association representing the global battery industry and is the premier authority on energy storage solutions. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, BCI advocates and educates on behalf of battery manufacturers and recyclers, marketers and retailers, suppliers of raw materials and equipment, and battery distributors. With a unified voice, BCI conveys an industry-wide commitment to sustainability, safety and science. The organization continues to unite members within the battery industry to successfully communicate and protect through education, science and advocacy efforts the most successful circular economy on the planet. With 99% of used lead batteries collected and recycled in the U.S. and the typical new lead battery containing 80% or more of recycled materials, BCI supports the path toward similar sustainability goals for all other battery chemistries. For more information, visit www.batterycouncil.org

About EUROBAT

EUROBAT is the leading association for European automotive and industrial battery manufacturers, covering all battery technologies, and has more than 40 members. The members and staff work with all policymakers, industry stakeholders, NGOs and media to highlight the important role batteries play for decarbonised mobility and energy systems as well as numerous other applications. www.eurobat.org

About Association of Battery Recyclers

The Association of Battery Recyclers (ABR) represents the companies and employees who solve an unseen problem: responsibly recycling the more than 160 million used lead batteries that the United States disposes of each year. Instead of filling landfills, the U.S. recycling industry turns discarded lead battery components into highly valuable, raw materials for new products.