The short answer
From 18 February 2027 every battery carries a QR code, including batteries that need no passport. For a battery with a passport, the QR code leads to the passport, which is tied to the unique identifier the economic operator gives that battery; for the other batteries it leads to the label, the declaration of conformity and similar information. The QR code and the unique identifier must follow the ISO/IEC 15459 series or an equivalent.
What the regulation says
Every battery has a QR code
“From 18 February 2027, all batteries shall be marked with a QR code as described in Part C of Annex VI. The QR code shall provide access to the following:”
With a passport, the code leads to the passport
“for LMT batteries, industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2kWh and electric vehicles batteries, the battery passport in accordance with Article 77;”
Where it goes
“The labels and the QR code referred to in paragraphs 1 to 6 shall be printed or engraved visibly, legibly and indelibly on the battery. Where this is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature and size of the battery, the labels and the QR code shall be affixed to the packaging and to the documents accompanying the battery.”
Standards for the QR code and the unique identifier
“The QR code and the unique identifier shall comply with the ISO/IEC standards 15459-1:2014, 15459-2:2015, 15459-3:2014, 15459-4:2014, 15459-5:2014 and 15459-6:2014 or their equivalent.”
Quotes are from the English text of the regulations; the text published in the Official Journal prevails.
What a scan shows, by battery
| Battery | What the QR code opens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LMT batteries, electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh | The battery passport | Art. 13(6)(a) |
| Other batteries | The information on the label, the declaration of conformity, information on preventing and managing waste batteries and so on | Art. 13(6)(b) |
| Starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries | The above, plus the amount of cobalt, lead, lithium or nickel recovered from waste and present in the active materials | Art. 13(6)(c) |
For a battery without a passport we call the page the QR code opens the “QR information page”; see batteries that need no passport.
Common mistakes
Must the QR code be printed on the battery?
Printed or engraved on the battery is the rule, visibly, legibly and indelibly. Only when the nature and size of the battery make that impossible or not warranted does it go on the packaging and the accompanying documents (Art. 13(7)).
Can a battery without a passport skip the QR code?
No. From 18 February 2027 every battery carries one, and it leads to the label and compliance information (Art. 13(6)).
Is the QR code the passport?
No. The QR code is the way in; it links to the unique identifier the economic operator gives the battery, and the passport is the electronic record it opens (Art. 77(3)).
Update dates and checks
- First published
- Last updated
- Checked against
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (Battery Regulation), consolidated text
- Checked
- Checked 2026-11-07 · by PassBridge
This guide is for reference and is not legal advice. When the rules change we update it and say so here.
