By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government
of Nigeria, through the
National Environmental
Standards and Regulations
Enforcement Agency (NESREA),
has issued the National
Environmental (Battery
Control) Regulations, 2024,
in an important step toward
environmental sustainability.
This new legislation,
unveiled at an Interactive
Session on Thursday in Abuja
,aims to address the pressing
environmental and health
challenges associated with
battery waste in the country.
Dr. Innocent B. Barikor, the
Director General of NESREA,
delivered a keynote address
emphasizing the pivotal role of
batteries in Nigeria’s economy,
spanning renewable energy,
telecommunications, and
automotive sectors.
He highlighted the adverse
effects of improper battery
handling, particularly due to
unregulated practices in the
informal sector that contribute
to soil, air, and water pollution.
The National Environmental
(Battery Control) Regulations,
2024, seeks to establish a
comprehensive framework for
environmental compliance,
monitoring, and enforcement in
the battery sector.
Key aspects of the regulation
include formalizing the battery
recycling process, promoting
safe disposal methods, and
implementing the Extended
Producer Responsibility (EPR)
program. The EPR program
mandates producers to take
responsibility for the entire
lifecycle of their products,
fostering collaboration among
producers, collectors, and
recyclers.
Dr. Barikor expressed
gratitude to development
partners, including Heinrich Böll Stiftung, for their support
in advancing this initiative. He
urged stakeholders to engage
proactively with the new
legislation, emphasizing the
importance of compliance to
avoid penalties and promote
environmental sustainability.
IMrs. Miranda Amachree,
Executive Secretary of the
Alliance for Responsible Battery
Recycling (ARBR),who was
also present underscored the
organization’s crucial role in
ensuring responsible battery
waste management.
Established in 2018, ARBR
operates under the EPR
program, requiring producers
and importers to manage the
collection and recycling of
battery waste. Mrs. Amachree
stressed the serious health risks
posed by improper battery
disposal, such as exposure to
hazardous materials including
lead, cadmium, and mercury.
She called for comprehensive
compliance with the regulationswhich now cover all types of
batteries, not just lead-acid.
Mrs. Amachree also
highlighted the need for robust
stakeholder collaboration,
including industry leaders,
civil society organizations,
and government agencies, to
ensure effective monitoring and
enforcement. She extended her
gratitude to various partners,
including the Federal Ministry
of Environment and NESREA,
for their support and reaffirmed
ARBR’s commitment to fostering
a safer and healthier environment
through responsible battery
management.
The introduction of these
regulations marks a significant
step towards mitigating the
environmental and health
impacts associated with
battery waste in Nigeria,
reinforcing the commitment
of the Federal Government
and various stakeholders to
sustainable development and
environmental protection.