SDS
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Section 13: Disposal considerations
Spent lead acid batteries (EWC 160601) are subject to regulation of the EU Battery Directive and its adoptions into national
legislation on the composition and end of life management of batteries.
Spent Lead Acid batteries are recycled in lead refineries (secondary lead smelters). The components of a spent Lead Acid battery
are recycled or reprocessed.
At the points of sale, the manufacturers and importers of batteries, respectively the metal dealers take back spent batteries, and
render them to the secondary lead smelters for processing.
To simplify the collection and recycling or reprocessing process spent Lead Acid batteries must not be mixed with other batteries.
By no means may the electrolyte (diluted sulphuric acid) be emptied in an inexpert manner. This process is to be carried out by the
processing companies only.
Section 14: Transport Information
All batteries are identified as “Battery, Electric Storage, Wet, Nonspillable” when transported by air, sea or by land transportation. The
battery(s) must be identified as above on the Bill of Lading and properly packaged with their terminals protected from short circuit. NA
or UN numbers do not apply. Our battery(s) warning label identifies each battery as NONSPILLABLE.
Our seal lead-acid batteries are classified as “Nonspillable” for the purpose of transportation by DOT, and IATA/ICAO as result of
passing the Vibration and Pressure Differential Test described in DOT [49 CFR 173.159 (f)] and IATA/ICAO [Special Provision
A67].Our seal lead-acid batteries can be safely transported on deck, or under deck stored on either a passenger or cargo vessel as
result of passing the Vibration and Pressure Differential Tests as described in the IMDG regulations(Special Article 238).
To transport these batteries as “non-spillable” they must be shipped in a condition that would protect them from short-circuits and be
securely packaged so as to withstand conditions normal to transportation by a consumer, in or out of a device, they are unregulated
thus requiring no additional special handling or packaging.
For all modes of transportation, each battery and outer package is labeled “NON-SPILLABLE” per 49 CFR 173.159(f) and 49 CFR
173.159a. If you repackage our batteries either as batteries or as a component of another product you must label the outer package
“NON-SPILLABLE” per 49 CFR 173.159(f) and 49 CFR 173.159a.
Section 12: Ecological information
This information is of relevance if the battery is broken and the ingredients are released to environment.
12.1 Electrolyte (diluted sulphuric acid)
In order to avoid damage to the sewage system, the acid has to be neutralized by means of time or sodium carbonate before
disposal. Ecological damage is possible by change of pH. The electrolyte solution reacts with water and organic substances,
causing damage to flora and fauna. The electrolyte may also contain soluble components of lead that can be toxic to aquatic
environments.
12.2 Lead and Lead compounds
Chemical and physical treatment is required for the elimination from water. Waste water containing lead must not be disposed
of in an untreated condition. The former classification of Lead compounds as toxic for the aquatic environment R50/53 had
been triggered from test results generated in the 80’s for soluble Lead compounds (Lead Acetate). The hardly soluble Lead
compounds such as Battery Lead Oxide were not tested at this time. Tests on Battery Lead Oxide were carried out in 2001
and 2005. The respective test results conclude that Battery Lead Oxide is not toxic for the environment, neither R50 nor
R50/53 nor R51/53. From this it follows that the general classification for Lead compounds (R50/53) does not apply to Battery
Lead Oxide. As the result of this the Risk Phrase R52/53 (Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause longterm adverse effects
in the aquatic environment) applies to Battery Lead Oxide.
Effects of Battery Lead Oxide in the aquatic environment:
Toxicity for fish: 96 h LC 50 > 100 mg/l
Toxicity for daphnia: 48 h EC 50 > 100 mg/l
Toxicity for alga: 72 h IC 50 > 10 mg/l
The results demonstrate these Battery Lead Oxide compounds in a concentration of 100 mg/l have no adverse effect on fish
and daphnia. A concentration of these Battery Lead Oxide of 10 mg/l has no adverse effect on the rate of growth and the
biomass. For the classification according to Directive 67/548/EEC the most sensitive adverse effect has to be considered. As a
result of the toxicity for alga at > 10 mg/l Battery Lead Oxide has to be classified according to the R-Phrases 52/53 (Harmful to
aquatic organisms, may cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic environment).