Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the EU’s 2027 requirement that portable batteries in electronic appliances must be removable and replaceable by the end-user using commonly available tools on the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act.

No assessment has been made on the potential impact of the EU Batteries Regulation on the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act. We will continue to work with DHSC to identify any emerging impacts.

Defra is working with the Devolved Governments to review the UK’s producer responsibility legislation for batteries. As part of this review, my officials held a series of workshops with industry earlier this year to explore the impacts of regulatory alignment with the requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation in Great Britain and will formally consult on proposals in due course. The EU Batteries Regulation applies directly in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.