China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), along with the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, has issued a new policy aimed at standardising lithium-ion battery recycling. Released on April 3 and reported by IT-Home, the policy builds on an expanding regulatory framework that now covers the entire lifecycle of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Expanding Collection Networks and Manufacturer Responsibility
The policy lists important steps to improve the recycling ecosystem, such as building more collection and temporary storage facilities. Authorities want lithium battery makers and electric bike makers to work with recycling companies to set up effective collection networks.
This approach, which is linked to producers, is similar to what is happening in China’s EV sector as a whole, where automakers and battery suppliers are being held more and more accountable for managing batteries at the end of their useful life. It shows that more and more people are making recycling a part of how things are made.
Focus on Leading Recycling Companies
The policy highlights the role of large recycling firms in scaling up capacity and improving efficiency. China Recycling Group has been identified as a key player and is encouraged to expand its lithium battery recycling capabilities while adopting flexible, region-specific operational models.
This fits with the trend toward centralised recycling systems, where big companies handle material recovery and processing on a large scale, making the process more efficient and using resources better.
Digital Tracking and Lifecycle Management
A significant component of the policy is the introduction of digital monitoring systems. Authorities are promoting the use of platforms to track battery data, including origin, quantity, and movement throughout the recycling process.
This initiative complements the national power battery traceability platform launched on April 1, which assigns a unique digital identity to each battery. The system enables full lifecycle tracking across production, usage, and recycling stages, creating a closed-loop management framework involving manufacturers, EV producers, maintenance firms, and recyclers.
Strengthening Oversight and Future Regulations
The policy also emphasises coordination between central and local authorities. While local governments will implement unified technical standards and scalable recycling models, central agencies will monitor progress and ensure compliance.
These changes are part of China’s larger effort to move toward closed-loop battery management. By 2026, stricter recycling rules are expected to go into effect. These rules will require battery manufacturers and automakers to set up formal recycling networks and keep a closer eye on things as the number of old batteries grows.
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