Battery Passport 2027: The Mandatory Requirement Transforming the European Automotive Supply Chain
From 18 February 2027, EV, light means of transport and industrial batteries over 2 kWh placed on the EU market must carry a digital passport. Manufacturers, assemblers, importers, and recyclers: discover the requirements, deadlines, penalties, and how AI automation reduces compliance preparation time by 80%.
TL;DR: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 mandates a digital passport from 18 February 2027 for electric vehicle batteries, light means of transport batteries and industrial batteries over 2 kWh placed on the European market. QR code on the battery, raw material traceability, certified environmental data, and end-of-life tracking — non-compliance blocks market access. This guide covers the timeline, scope, data requirements, penalties, and how AI-powered automation slashes preparation time.
What Is the Battery Passport?
The digital battery passport is a requirement of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, adopted on 12 July 2023 and applicable since 18 February 2024 [eur-lex.europa.eu]. It is a unique digital identifier associated with each battery, accessible via a QR code physically affixed to the product.
This passport contains all required information throughout the battery lifecycle: chemical composition, carbon footprint, raw material origin, state of health (SoH), recyclability status.
Unlike a simple label, the passport is an evolving digital document that follows the battery from manufacture to recycling, enabling authorities, professionals, and consumers to access certified information.
Regulatory Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 12 July 2023 | Adoption of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 |
| 18 February 2024 | Entry into application: categorisation, marking |
| 18 August 2025 | CE marking — replacement of Directive 2006/66/EC |
| 18 February 2027 | Digital passport mandatory (EV, LMT and industrial batteries > 2 kWh) |
| 18 August 2027 | Performance and durability requirements — rechargeable industrial batteries > 2 kWh |
| 18 August 2028 | Recycled content documentation + durability requirements for portable batteries |
| 18 August 2031 | Minimum recycled content: 16% cobalt, 85% lead, 6% lithium, 6% nickel |
Note on the carbon footprint: the carbon footprint declaration applies per battery category (EV batteries, rechargeable industrial batteries above 2 kWh, LMT batteries) either on a fixed date or, if later, 12 to 18 months after the Commission adopts the delegated act — the initial 18 February 2025 date (EV batteries) was still not effective as of summer 2026, as the delegated act had not been adopted yet [battery.mba].
Manufacturers that have not implemented the digital passport by the deadline will no longer be able to market their batteries on the European market.
Which Batteries Are Affected?
The passport is mandatory for all rechargeable batteries with a capacity exceeding 2 kWh placed on the EU market. This includes:
- Electric vehicle batteries (cars, vans, trucks, buses)
- Industrial batteries (forklifts, stationary storage, heavy equipment)
- Light means of transport batteries (e-bikes, scooters, two-wheelers)
Portable batteries (smartphones, cordless tools, consumer electronics) are not subject to the digital passport, but remain covered by other provisions of the regulation (collection, recycling, marking).
Data Required in the Passport
The battery passport must contain the following information, structured by category:
General Information
- Manufacturer, model, serial number, date of manufacture
- Battery category and chemistry (LFP, NMC, LCO, etc.)
- Nominal capacity, voltage, power
Environmental Data
- Lifecycle carbon footprint (declaration per battery model and manufacturing plant, verified by a notified body — deadlines conditional on the delegated act)
- Recycled content rate (cobalt, lithium, nickel, lead) — documentation mandatory from 2028, minimums from 2031
- Recyclability performance
Traceability
- Origin of critical raw materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel)
- Supplier certifications
- Supply chain data
Lifecycle
- State of Health (SoH) updated periodically
- Refurbishment history
- End-of-life status and recycling instructions
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Penalties are substantial. In France, Decree No. 2025-992 of 28 October 2025 implements the sanction regime of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 into the French Consumer Code [eba-avocats.com]:
- Fifth-class fines (up to €1,500, €3,000 in case of repeat offence) for breaches, imposed by authorised enforcement officers
- Market withdrawal of non-compliant batteries
- Marketing blockage of vehicles equipped with non-compliant batteries
Other EU member states have comparable sanctions, some including daily penalties until rectification.
How to Prepare Your Compliance Now
The 18 February 2027 deadline is less than six months away. Here are the recommended steps:
- Audit your supply chain — Map the batteries you import, produce, or distribute
- Structure your data — Collect required information from suppliers (composition, carbon footprint, material origin)
- Deploy a traceability system — Implement a platform capable of generating, hosting, and maintaining digital passports
- Produce QR codes — Integrate the QR code on your batteries and in your production systems
- Test and certify — Verify passport compliance before the deadline
The battery passport is part of a broader regulatory landscape: CSRD, the AI Act and the PPWR regulation also impose tight deadlines on industrial players — starting with automotive CSRD compliance for carmakers and suppliers. For an overview, see our CSRD reporting guide and our dedicated page on regulatory compliance.
How Taranis AI Automates Your Compliance
Data collection and structuring represent 80% of battery passport preparation time. Our AI-powered automation solution enables you to:
- Automatically extract technical data from supplier datasheets, specifications, and BMS
- Structure and validate information in the required regulatory format
- Maintain up-to-date passports throughout the battery lifecycle
- Generate QR codes compliant with EU technical specifications
Result: preparation time drops from several months to a few weeks, with complete and audit-ready traceability.
FAQ
When does the battery passport become mandatory?
The digital passport is mandatory from 18 February 2027 for electric vehicle batteries, light means of transport batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh placed on the European market.
Does the battery passport apply to used vehicles?
No, the obligation only concerns new batteries placed on the market after 18 February 2027. Already registered electric vehicles are not affected.
How is the passport accessed?
The passport takes the form of a QR code affixed to a visible face of the battery. This code links to a secure digital platform containing all required data.
What is the difference between the battery passport and the battery label?
The battery label is simplified visual information on the product (capacity, performance, recycling symbol). The digital passport is a complete and evolving database, accessible via QR code, intended for authorities and professionals.
What are the penalties in France?
Decree No. 2025-992 of 28 October 2025 provides for fifth-class fines (up to €1,500, €3,000 in case of repeat offence) as well as market withdrawal of non-compliant products.
How can Taranis AI help?
Our platform automates the collection, structuring, and updating of battery passport data, reducing compliance preparation time by 80% and guaranteeing complete, audit-ready traceability.
Not sure where to start? Talk to our experts about your battery passport compliance project.
👉 Identify your first AI-driven compliance projects — Let's discuss your situation.
Article updated 18 September 2026 — Reflects current provisions of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and its delegated acts.