EU Battery Regulation

Our vehicles, parts, accessories and lifestyle products may include batteries, such as portable batteries, starter batteries, LV batteries (lightweight vehicle batteries) or electric vehicle batteries (high-voltage batteries and 48V batteries). These batteries are built for a long service life.

If you use batteries properly and take advantage of the opportunities to reuse, re manufacture or repurpose batteries on your own responsibility, you not only reduce the demand for new batteries and the primary raw materials needed to produce them, but also the harmful effects that battery waste can have on our environment and health.

By following the manufacturer's recommendations for use, you can optimise the service life of batteries and make an important contribution to preventing waste.

• Use long-lasting and, as far as possible, rechargeable portable batteries.
• If you do not use a battery-operated device for a long period of time, remove the battery from the device if possible.
• Only use chargers, charging cables, adapters or charging stations classified as suitable by the manufacturer for the respective battery type or vehicle type.
• Protect the batteries from damage.
• Do not expose batteries to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight or moisture.
• If possible, store batteries in a cool and dry place.
• Do not store batteries at low states of charge and avoid total discharge.

• Check the remaining charge of portable batteries before you change and dispose of them prematurely. It might be possible to reuse them in devices with lower consumption.
• You might be able to reuse rechargeable batteries from devices that you no longer use in other suitable devices.
• Have a specialist workshop, such as your authorised BMW Motorrad Service Partner, check whether batteries can be repaired after malfunctions to restore their original performance.
• Used batteries can be converted for other purposes on your own responsibility.

• Only use starter batteries (12V batteries) that are classified as being suitable by the vehicle manufacturer.
• In order to spare the starter battery, use the standby state and activated vehicle electrical loads only for as long as is absolutely necessary.
• Charge the LV battery or high-voltage battery on a regular basis.
• Charge the LV battery at domestic socket outlets.
• Charge the high-voltage battery with low charging power at AC charging stations, wallboxes or domestic socket outlets.
• If possible, operate the vehicle with a state of charge of between 10% and 80% in everyday life.
• If possible, charge the LV battery or high-voltage battery shortly before a planned departure in the case of higher charging targets.
• Reduce the load on the LV battery or high-voltage battery by driving efficiently and with foresight.

Further recommendations and notes can be found in the owner's handbook for your vehicle or in the operating instructions for the battery.

For more information, please contact your authorised BMW Motorrad Service Partner.

As an end user of batteries, you are obliged by law to collect and dispose of old batteries separately from other types of waste, such as household waste. This enables you to properly handle and recycle old batteries, reuse valuable raw materials and protect the environment and human health.

The return and disposal of old batteries is free of charge for you as an end user.

Use the return and collection points established for this purpose in all member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), e.g. at retail outlets, at treatment plants for old electrical appliances and end-of-life vehicles, at municipal collection points or via specially set up return and collection systems.
You can find out where the nearest specially established return and collection point is on the Internet.

Manufacturers of starter batteries, industrial batteries, LV batteries and electric vehicle batteries are required by law to take back the batteries provided of these categories free of charge.

As an end user, you can return the corresponding old batteries free of charge to a specialist workshop, such as your authorised BMW Motorrad Service Partner. This option is available even if you didn't purchase a new battery and regardless of whether you bought the battery from that same manufacturer.

When taking back old batteries for you free of charge, the battery manufacturers bear the costs of the following:

• The costs of collecting old batteries separately, including subsequent transport and treatment of the used batteries, taking any potential income into account resulting from the preparation for reuse or the preparation for repurposing or from the value of secondary raw materials recovered from old batteries during recycling.
• The costs of conducting a survey on the composition of the collected mixed municipal waste to determine the share of old batteries not disposed of properly.
• The costs of providing information on waste prevention and management of old batteries to all relevant target groups.
• The costs of collecting and disclosing all the necessary information to the relevant authorities.

For more information, please contact your authorised BMW Motorrad Service Partner.

At the end of their life cycle or in the event of a malfunction, have LV batteries and high-voltage batteries disposed of by a specialist workshop, such as your authorised BMW Motorrad Service Partner. They are recycled and the recovered secondary raw materials cobalt, nickel and lithium can be re-integrated into the value chain.

The corresponding national legal regulations apply to taking back batteries and recycling in general.

Additional information on recycling and sustainability is available on the country-specific BMW websites or is available from your specialist workshop, such as your authorised BMW Motorrad Service Partner.

For the safe handling of old batteries, it is important that you follow the safety instructions of the manufacturer.

• Only have work on the vehicle and batteries, in particular maintenance work, repairs or modifications carried out by a specialist workshop, such as your authorised BMW Motorrad Service Partner.
• Do not open batteries, and protect them from damage. For example, avoid dropping or throwing batteries. Damaged batteries can result in dangerous situations, such as fires, explosions or the emission of hazardous substances. The chemicals contained in batteries are corrosive and poisonous. Opening batteries can cause serious injury or poisoning.
• For example, if you notice unusual heat, an unknown smell, discolouration or deformation in portable batteries, remove them immediately from the device whenever possible and maintain a sufficient distance from the battery.
• Store damaged or defective batteries in separate containers and dispose of them immediately and properly.
• Only use chargers, charging cables, adapters or charging stations classified as suitable by the manufacturer for the corresponding battery type or vehicle type to avoid overcharging and excessive charging voltages.
• The vehicle key contains a button cell as a battery, for example. Batteries or button cells can be swallowed and cause serious or fatal injuries within two hours, such as internal burns or chemical burns. There is a risk of injury and danger to life. Keep vehicle keys and batteries out of the reach of children. If you suspect that a battery or button cell has been swallowed or is stuck somewhere in the body, call for medical aid immediately.
• Protect old batteries from short circuits by covering the terminals with terminal caps or masking them.
• Do not expose old batteries to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight or moisture.
• If possible, store them in a cool and dry place.
• Collect and dispose of old batteries containing lithium separately from other types of batteries, in particular separately from batteries containing lead.

You must handle lithium-ion batteries with special care because they are sensitive to fire.

Improper handling or improperly performed work on lithium-ion batteries may result in electric shock. There is a risk of injury, fire or danger to life.

• If the temperature is unusually high and the lithium-ion battery is damaged, for example as a result of an accident, this can result in gas and smoke formation. If you notice any unusual smell or smoke formation, observe the following instructions on what to do in the event of a Check Control message in the vehicle.
  - While driving: 1. Stop immediately, 2. Park the vehicle safely, 3. Exit the vehicle, 4. Establish and maintain a sufficient distance from the vehicle, 5. Alert rescue workers.
  - During or shortly after the charging process: 1. If necessary, exit the vehicle, 2. Establish and maintain a sufficient distance from the vehicle, 3. Alert rescue workers.
  - Do not inhale any gas that escapes.
• Fluids in lithium-ion batteries are acidic. Do not touch any leaking fluid.
• Store lithium-ion batteries separately from hazardous substances or flammable material.
• Collect and dispose of lithium-ion batteries separately from other types of batteries, in particular separately from batteries containing lead.
• At the end of their life cycle or in the event of a malfunction, have lithium-ion batteries disposed of by a specialist workshop, such as your authorised BMW Motorrad Service Partner.

Further notes and information can be found in the owner's handbook for your vehicle or in the operating instructions for the battery.

Batteries contain pollutants. It is prohibited by law to dispose of them together with household waste, other unsorted municipal waste or through littering.

If handled or disposed of improperly, batteries can pose health hazards, physical hazards and environmental hazards, in particular if they are damaged.

• Toxicity: Many batteries contain dangerous chemicals, such as lead, cadmium or lithium, which can be harmful if they come into contact with the skin or if vapours are inhaled.
• Chemical burns: Chemicals in batteries can cause skin and eye irritation, particularly if there is a leak or damage.

• Fire hazard: Lithium-ion batteries can overheat and catch fire if they are overcharged, damaged or handled improperly. This can result in dangerous fires that are difficult to extinguish.
• Explosion hazard: If handled or stored improperly, batteries can explode, in particular lithium-ion batteries, if they are damaged or overheated.
• Short circuits: If the terminals of a battery come into contact with each other, a short circuit can occur, which can cause overheating, fire or explosion.

• Soil and water pollution: The improper disposal of batteries can result in hazardous chemicals entering the soil and groundwater, polluting the environment and endangering human and animal health.
• Ecosystem damage: The emission of toxic substances from batteries can damage the flora and fauna in the environment and impair biodiversity.
• Air pollution: Any improper incineration of batteries can release harmful vapours and particles which impair the air quality and pose health risks to humans and animals.

If you have damaged a battery or notice signs of a problem with a battery, stop using it and dispose of it immediately and properly. If you have come into contact with battery materials, call for medical aid immediately.

There are various poison centres in Europe that you can contact in case of poisoning or if poisoning is suspected.

The emergency call number 112 is intended for life-threatening emergencies across Europe, including poisoning.