In recent years, batteries have become one of the core components towards the clean energy transition. While Electric Vehicles often get the most attention when it comes to this conversation, batteries are also critical for a wide range of other devices that help the shift towards the clean energy transition.
Portable devices, power tools, consumer electronics, emergency backup units, and larger industrial energy storage systems used for grid balancing, renewable energy, and commercial operations – all of them rely on batteries.
Basically, batteries are going to be the backbone of our energy industry and our day-to-day lives. Understanding this potential, the European Union has issued the new Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, where Digital Battery Passports (DBPs) are brought forward as a core tool for transparency and complete lifecycle traceability across many types of batteries.
In this article, we’ll explore how Digital Battery Passport applies to portable and industrial energy storage batteries, why this extends the reach of circular and sustainable battery management, and how the BASE Project’s Digital Battery Passport framework supports these weirder applications.
Battery Types Covered by the EU Battery Regulation
The EU Battery Regulation introduces a unified set of rules that apply to a wide variety of battery types, not only those used in electric vehicles. The legislative text defines several key categories, including portable batteries, light means of transport (LMT) batteries, industrial batteries, and electric vehicle batteries. Portable batteries are defined as sealed units weighing 5 kg or less that are not intended for industrial use, while industrial batteries are those designed for industrial purposes or weighing more than 5 kg outside the other categories.
The regulation also sets out sustainability and safety requirements for all battery types, such as limits on hazardous substances (e.g. mercury, cadmium and lead), performance and durability documentation, labelling, and removability criteria for portable batteries. In particular, batteries must carry a data carrier (QR code/RFID chip) providing access to a Digital Battery Passport from February 18, 2027, for LMT batteries, industrial batteries above 2 kWh and electric vehicle batteries.
Mandatory DBPs will contain structured information about the battery model, material composition, carbon footprint and other lifecycle data. These passports must be accurate, up-to-date and interoperable across systems.
Why Digital Battery Passports Extend Beyond EVs
Industrial energy storage systems are increasingly important for modern power grids. They help balance demand and supply, integrate variable renewable generation and maintain reliable commercial and industrial operations. These systems usually consist of many modular battery units. Without structured, standardised data, operators struggle to fully understand performance, safety profiles and end-of-life options.
A Digital Battery Passport provides a reliable digital record that can track performance history, safety information and lifecycle changes over time. Operators can use passport data to inform predictive maintenance, identify opportunities for reuse or repurposing, and plan for efficient recycling. Such insights can increase operational efficiency and reduce the total cost of ownership for industrial energy storage systems.
Portable energy storage solutions, such as those used in emergency response, outdoor work or mobile power supply units, can also benefit from DBP data when integrated into broader asset management and sustainability strategies. Information on chemistry, hazardous materials and recyclability can improve user safety and ensure that portable units are handled correctly at the end of life.
While portable batteries are not included in the first wave of mandatory DBPs, many of the design requirements introduced by the regulation will still affect them. Portable batteries and batteries incorporated into products must be designed to be easily removable and replaceable by users or professionals, a change that supports reuse and repair by preventing batteries from being locked inside devices. This requirement encourages better designs that can simplify future data capture and integration into DBPs where portable batteries are used in larger systems.
Data-Driven Benefits for Industry and Regulators
A Digital Battery Passport that includes industrial energy storage systems helps improve transparency across supply chains. For manufacturers, it provides a standardised way to demonstrate compliance with sustainability criteria, such as carbon footprint declarations and recycled material content. For operators, passport data supports predictive maintenance, state-of-health tracking and integration into energy management systems, improving operational efficiency and reliability.
For regulators and market surveillance authorities, applying DBP principles across battery types enhances oversight and helps ensure that sustainability rules are being met. Structured, interoperable digital data allows authorities to verify compliance, assess safety risks and gather industry-wide insights into battery performance and environmental impacts.
The Evolving Role of DBPs in Energy Storage Beyond EVs
Although the initial mandatory DBP requirement applies to EV, LMT and larger industrial batteries, the underlying principles of the regulation encourage broader digital traceability across the battery landscape. Member states and industry stakeholders are already considering how to extend passport practices to other battery classes and applications as data standards and digital infrastructure mature. This evolution could support emerging segments such as residential energy storage, microgrid batteries and portable power banks, ensuring that robust data supports battery lifecycle decisions for diverse use cases.
Technical and data standards are still under development, and delegated acts will clarify the full content requirements for battery passports across categories. This development phase offers an opportunity for industry participants to align internal data systems with future regulatory expectations, ensuring readiness for broader DBP adoption.
BASE Project: Supporting Battery Data Across All Applications
At the BASE project, we understand that the value of Digital Battery Passports extends well beyond electric vehicles. Our passport framework is designed to capture structured, interoperable data across a battery’s lifecycle, including industrial energy storage and portable battery applications where applicable. BASE supports manufacturers, system integrators and downstream users by creating data models that include material composition, safety attributes, performance history and lifecycle indicators.
The BASE framework emphasises standardised data architecture, data integrity and secure access control so that passport data can be integrated into enterprise systems, energy management platforms and lifecycle planning tools. Our pilot implementations examine how DBP data can support reuse, recycling and performance insights for diverse battery applications. In doing so, BASE prepares the industry for a future where digital traceability enhances both sustainability and operational effectiveness.
Looking Ahead
As the EU Battery Regulation enters force and DBP requirements begin to apply from 2027, the industry will need to adapt to a landscape where battery data is a core asset. While electric vehicles are a key early focus, industrial energy storage and, eventually, portable battery applications will benefit from the same transparency and traceability principles.
Organisations that align their data strategies with digital passport requirements today will be better positioned to manage risk, support circular economy goals and unlock operational value across the full range of battery applications.
The BASE project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) Research and Innovation Actions under grant agreement No. 101157200
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Digital Battery Passport?
A Digital Battery Passport is a digital record linked to a battery that contains verified information about its composition, performance, safety, carbon footprint and lifecycle history. Under the EU Battery Regulation, certain batteries must have a passport accessible via a QR code or similar identifier to support transparency, compliance and circularity.
What type of information is included in a Battery Passport?
A Battery Passport includes information such as battery model and manufacturer details, material composition, hazardous substances, carbon footprint, performance parameters and relevant lifecycle data. Access to specific data elements depends on the user, such as regulators, operators or the public.
Why are Digital Battery Passports important for recycling and circularity?
By providing accurate information on battery composition and lifecycle history, Digital Battery Passports improve dismantling, sorting and recycling processes. This helps recover valuable materials more efficiently and supports EU targets for recycled content and material recovery.
When will Digital Battery Passport requirements apply?
Digital Battery Passport requirements will apply from 18 February 2027 for electric vehicle batteries, light means of transport batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh capacity placed on the EU market.
Are Digital Battery Passports only required for electric vehicle batteries?
No. While electric vehicle batteries are a key focus, the EU Battery Regulation also requires Digital Battery Passports for light means of transport batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh capacity from February 2027. This includes many stationary and industrial energy storage systems.
How do Battery Passports support industrial energy storage systems?
Battery Passports provide structured data on battery chemistry, performance history, safety attributes and material composition. For industrial energy storage systems, this data supports maintenance planning, safety management, regulatory compliance and informed decisions on reuse, repurposing or recycling.
References
EUR-Lex – EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 official text: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/2024-07-18
Stena Recycling – New EU Battery Regulation Updates: https://www.stenarecycling.com/news-insights/insights-inspiration/guides-articles/new-eu-battery-regulation-eubr
BASE Project – Understanding the Scope of the Digital Battery Passport: EV, LMT, and Industrial Batteries: https://base-batterypassport.com/blog/technology-7/understanding-the-scope-of-the-digital-battery-passport-ev-lmt-and-industrial-batteries-60
BASE Project – EU Battery Passport Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542): What You Need to Know in 2026: https://base-batterypassport.com/blog/regulations-4/eu-battery-passport-regulation-57
BASE Project – Battery Passport: EU Regulation and Implementation Guide: https://base-batterypassport.com/blog/regulations-4/battery-passport-40