On January 4, 2021, an extract of Resolution No. 1422, dated December 18, 2020, was published in the Official Gazette, by means of which the Ministry of the Environment begins the process of drafting the Supreme Decree that will establish collection and valorization goals and other related obligations for the priority product “small batteries”, in the context of Law No. 20,920 on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR Law).

Regulated priority product: "Small Batteries".

The preliminary definition of batteries is “any source of electrical energy obtained by direct transformation of chemical energy and consisting of one or more elements. These include rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries”.

Procedure for the elaboration of the Supreme Decree.

According to the EPR Law, several supreme decrees issued by the Ministry of the Environment will establish goals and other associated obligations for priority products, including batteries. The process for elaborating each supreme decree must be formally initiated by means of a resolution issued by the Ministry of the Environment.

In view of the foregoing, the published resolution resolves to:

1. Form a file for the processing of the process.
2. Consider, notwithstanding to the background that may be available in the future, certain studies mentioned.
3. Set forth a deadline for receiving technical, economic and social background information on the matter to be regulated (30 business days as of January 4, 2021 -i.e., until February 15, 2021). Information must be grounded and delivered in writing to the reception desk of the Ministry of the Environment or the corresponding website.

Extended Operating Committee.

The Ministry of the Environment must summon an Extended Operating Committee, which will be composed of representatives of some ministries (i.e. Environment; Health; Energy; Economy; Transport and Telecommunications; and Finance); associations of municipalities; small batteries producers, waste managers; consumers; base recyclers; an NGO; battery marketers and distributors and an expert professional nominated by Autonomous Universities.

The committee has a 6-month term to issue a preliminary draft of the supreme decree.