NSW Introduces Nation-Leading Battery Safety Legislation
Image: Lithium-ion batteries, thrown out in the rubbish, was the cause of a Central Coast garbage truck fire on September 26, 2024. Image: FRNSW/Supplied
The Minns Labor Government has introduced landmark legislation that will make suppliers more accountable for safe battery handling and disposal.
NSW will be the first state in Australia to implement such laws, aimed at reducing the growing fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
The Product Life Cycle Responsibility Act, if passed, will establish a mandatory framework requiring manufacturers and retailers to take responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycle. This includes meeting requirements for product design, manufacturing, reuse, recycling, and disposal to mitigate safety and environmental risks.
Batteries have been identified as a major fire hazard, with Fire and Rescue NSW reporting that lithium-ion batteries are the state’s fastest-growing fire risk.
The waste and recycling industry estimates that up to 12,000 fires occur annually in trucks and waste facilities due to improper battery disposal and poor design. Firefighters have already responded to 384 lithium-ion battery incidents in NSW since 2024, leading to at least 33 injuries and multiple fatalities.
Suppliers to be held accountable
Under the proposed law, battery suppliers may be required to register their products to ensure compliance and facilitate safe disposal or recycling through dedicated collection points.
They would also be responsible for running public education campaigns to raise awareness about battery hazards and proper disposal methods. Additionally, suppliers may need to enhance battery design, packaging, and storage to improve safety and recyclability.
The new regulations will extend to embedded batteries found in everyday devices such as cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes, children’s toys, e-bikes, and e-scooters.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the bill is a crucial step in reducing battery-related fires and holding suppliers accountable.
“This bill will give the NSW Government the strongest powers in the country to ensure suppliers take responsibility for the products they sell,” she said.
“Batteries power modern life, and as we decarbonise, we must ensure their safe use to prevent further deaths, injuries, and property damage.”
Industry stakeholders have been actively involved in shaping the reforms and will play a key role in their implementation.
