Based on a 2022 report, the lithium-ion (li-ion) battery chain could grow by more than 30% annually from 2022 to 2030 and reach a market size of 4.7 terawatt-hours by 2031. Circular strategies can help reduce environmental impact and support the use of recycled materials in new batteries. Battery circularity is essential to conserving resources through the reuse and recycling of valuable materials.
Battery producers can demonstrate their contribution to battery circularity thanks to UL ECOLOGO® Certification to UL 3601, the Standard for Measuring and Reporting Circularity of Li-ion and Other Secondary Batteries.
How it works
The UL ECOLOGO® Certification is a scientifically backed process that begins with a desktop audit, where documentation is provided and reviewed. UL Solutions provides a checklist of document submission requirements for each criterion listed in the Standard.
This Standard establishes a multi-criteria framework for evaluating the circularity on the basis of durability, recyclability, reusability, and recoverability for medium and large, secondary (rechargeable) batteries, and provides methods and metrics to assess the implementation of circularity economy principles aimed to reduce adverse environmental impacts associated with battery design, manufacture, use and end-of-life management practices.
This Standard includes both required and optional criteria, with a maximum of 102 points available and three levels of achievement.
Based on the selected criterion, there are three levels of certification tiers that products can achieve:
| Level of achievement | Points needed |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Required criteria |
| Silver | Required criteria + 50% of available optional points |
| Gold | Required criteria + 75% of available optional points[EG1] |
Certification maintenance
Annual surveillance evaluations from UL Solutions are required for manufacturers to maintain certification. Customers must notify UL Solutions of any changes to the product that may affect certification and require reassessment. UL Solutions requires a full recertification review every three years to assess whether the current certification criteria are being upheld.
What products does this ECOLOGO® Certification include?
Electric vehicle (EV) batteries
Industrial batteries, including solar energy storage
Batteries for light means of transport (e.g., e-bikes, electric scooters, golf carts)
Emergency power backups
The Certification is not applicable to primary (nonrechargeable) or small portable batteries.
The UL ECOLOGO® Certification to UL 3601 Standard sets metrics for a wide variety of criteria in some or all of the following categories, including but not limited to:
Design
Materials
Manufacturing and operations
Packaging
Marking
Battery use
Extension of useful life and end-of-life management
Corporate practices
Driving circularity through UL ECOLOGO® Certification to UL 3601 Standard
This UL ECOLOGO® Certification to UL 3601 empowers businesses and governments to advance circularity in battery systems through actionable interventions. The Standard provides a measurable framework to assess and improve the reuse, repurposing and recycling of secondary batteries.
Policy and procurement requirements
Governments and institutions can embed UL 3601 criteria into procurement policies, helping demonstrate that certified products meet circularity benchmarks. This can drive demand for responsibly designed batteries and encourage manufacturers to adopt circular practices.
De-risking repurposing and recycling models
By helping standardize and validate circular processes, UL ECOLOGO® Certification to 3601 helps reduce uncertainty for investors and operators. The Certification supports scalable business models that benefit local economies and help reduce environmental harm.
Our Certification facilitates greater standardization and validation of circular processes, enabling more visibility into repurposing and recycling models and their risks for operators and investors.
A signal to the global market
UL ECOLOGO® Certification for Batteries indicates that a manufacturer complies with the UL 3601 Standard.
Our Certification helps buyers, regulators and supply chain partners recognize and choose circular battery solutions. This contributes to a broader global movement toward innovation, accountability and sustainable battery production.
Why trust UL ECOLOGO® Certification for batteries?
Technical guidance: We can help companies better understand best practices for implementing circularity in battery design, production and management.
Demonstrate leadership in sustainability: UL ECOLOGO® Certification to UL 3601 signals your commitment to circular economy principles that help reduce waste, maximize resource efficiency and extend product life cycles.
Market recognition: The UL ECOLOGO® Mark has been a trusted environmental Mark for more than 30 years. ECOLOGO® Certification to UL 3601 can help manufacturers build trust in the market for battery circularity.
ECOLOGO for Batteries
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