Mr. Michael J. FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government will introduce regulations to amend the Batteries and Accumulators (Containing Dangerous Substances) Regulations 1994. [142977]
§ Ms HewittThe Batteries and Accumulators (Containing Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 were made on 20 November and laid in the House on 22 November 2000. The Regulations will be available from the Stationary Office.
137WThe Regulations implement Commission Directive 98/101/EC of 22 December 1998, which adapts to technical progress the Batteries and Accumulators Containing Certain Dangerous Substances Directive (91/157/EEC).
The Regulations come into force in Britain on 18 December 2000 and ban the marketing of consumer batteries and accumulators which contain more than 0.0005 per cent. of mercury by weight and mercuric-oxide button cells batteries which contain more than 2 per cent. of mercury by weight. The level of fine will be increased from 1 on the standard scale, to level 5, which currently stands at£5,000. This is to bring the Regulations into line with other recent environmental legislation.
A consultation paper on these Regulations was issued by the Department on 18 September this year.