UK Batteries Embrace REACH Legislation

UK Batteries reports having fully embraced the new ‘REACH legislation’ that came in to effect on September 1, 2008 and requires battery producers and distributors at different levels in the supply chain to meet strict labelling criteria that ensures customers are not mislead. Specifically, the REACH legislation requires all battery products to display a specification label that generally relates to the CCA (starting power) and the Ampere Hour (durability) of the unit. All batteries sold after September 1 must display the correct label, and UK Batteries, said to be the UK’s fastest-growing independent distributor, says it is proud that all of its products are now fully REACH compliant.

“We know for a fact that there are a number of misleading labels being distributed in the marketplace and there will be various aftermarket business that could fall foul of the REACH legislation if their products are checked,” Neil Warren, UK Batteries’ marketing and communications director, explained. “I’m pleased to say that all of our products have been REACH compliant for some time and that’s reassuring for our customers because they know they are REACH compliant as well. We have an obligation to make sure we stay on top of the latest changes in legislation because our customers rely on us to look after that on their behalf.”

Companies handling batteries have a 12-month period of grace to eliminate products that are not REACH compliant, however environment minister Phil Woolas has warned that the message still isn’t getting through to everyone in the supply chain. “If you think that REACH will only affect businesses that deal in large quantities of chemical products – think again,” said Woolas. “The major manufacturers and importers are pretty well organised but awareness among importers and retailers is much lower.”

In August the company also announced that it had completed the latest phase in the development of its battery offering, and thus its ‘Platinum’ range now covers 99 per cent of the UK vehicle parc. Manufactured to OE standards, the Platinum CV range now totals 42 applications. All batteries feature thick plates to give increased electrical performance, advanced plate separation to enable a longer service life, alloy technology to reduce water loss and increase service life, and plate-locking technology to give higher resistance to vibration. UK Batteries has also introduced a range of Platinum hard rubber 6-volt batteries that cater for older UK vehicles, as well as optional performances on UK specific-sized batteries.