Lead Battery 360: A new assurance framework promoting responsible practices in the lead battery value chain
Agenda for
25-27 June
2025
Steve Binks
Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, International Lead Association, United Kingdom
The LB360 assurance framework has been developed by the International Lead Association, Battery Council International, the Association of Automotive and Industrial Battery Producers (EUROBAT), and the Association of Battery Recyclers.
A not-for-profit foundation based in the United States will manage the effort supported by a multi-stakeholder advisory panel made up of a wide range of stakeholders including customers, investors, regulators, and civil society.
Under the framework, organizations will be independently assessed by a third party to confirm they have successfully implemented policies and practices supporting LB360’s seven “guiding principles” of responsible production and sourcing.
1. Support responsible battery manufacturing and recycling by placing environmental health and safety excellence at the heart of operations.
2. Promote the sound management of lead exposure and emissions by setting continuous improvement targets and sharing best practices.
3. Adopt responsible sourcing policies for lead-containing materials, seek to identify risks in the supply chain, and use influence to promote best practices for EHS performance in suppliers’ operations.
4. Minimise the environmental impact of products by encouraging the development of programs that ensure effective collection, transportation and environmentally sound recycling of used lead batteries.
5. Adopt business practices that consider the communities impacted by operations, respect the human and labour rights of employees and work against corruption in all forms.
6. Proactively engage key stakeholders in an open and transparent manner.
7. Partner with key stakeholders and government agencies to share our expertise and promote environmentally sound recycling of lead batteries low- and medium-income countries.
Participating companies will sign a letter of commitment to the program and must complete a site assessment within 12 months that will allow them to become “certified” participants.
A not-for-profit foundation based in the United States will manage the effort supported by a multi-stakeholder advisory panel made up of a wide range of stakeholders including customers, investors, regulators, and civil society.
Under the framework, organizations will be independently assessed by a third party to confirm they have successfully implemented policies and practices supporting LB360’s seven “guiding principles” of responsible production and sourcing.
1. Support responsible battery manufacturing and recycling by placing environmental health and safety excellence at the heart of operations.
2. Promote the sound management of lead exposure and emissions by setting continuous improvement targets and sharing best practices.
3. Adopt responsible sourcing policies for lead-containing materials, seek to identify risks in the supply chain, and use influence to promote best practices for EHS performance in suppliers’ operations.
4. Minimise the environmental impact of products by encouraging the development of programs that ensure effective collection, transportation and environmentally sound recycling of used lead batteries.
5. Adopt business practices that consider the communities impacted by operations, respect the human and labour rights of employees and work against corruption in all forms.
6. Proactively engage key stakeholders in an open and transparent manner.
7. Partner with key stakeholders and government agencies to share our expertise and promote environmentally sound recycling of lead batteries low- and medium-income countries.
Participating companies will sign a letter of commitment to the program and must complete a site assessment within 12 months that will allow them to become “certified” participants.
Bio
Dr. Steve Binks joined the International Lead Association (ILA) as Regulatory Affairs Director in 2011, having previously worked at the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline. In his position at the Trade Association, he is charged with understanding and influencing developing Global regulations impacting members operations. In his time at ILA, he has gained wide experience in many policy aspects relevant to the battery supply chain including the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive, Battery Directive, REACH, CLP, OSH regulation, Water Framework Directive and was involved in the Battery Regulation since the Commission first published its initial proposal in 2020.
