New Standards Australia initiative to support safer packaging and transport of used lithium‑ion batteries

Standards Australia commenced work on a Used Lithium‑ion Battery Packaging and Transport Guide. This free of charge industry guide is designed to help commercial businesses collecting any type of end-of-life lithium batteries understand the next steps in safely sending the batteries to a recycler.

Developed in collaboration with the Association for the Battery Recycling Industry (ABRI) and Powering Australia, the guide will look to provide clear, consistent, practical direction for the packaging and land transport of used lithium‑ion batteries. This resource will help support safer operations for collectors, installers, the automotive sector, and everyone involved in the logistics chain.

From phones and laptops to power tools, e‑bikes, energy storage systems and electric vehicles, lithium‑ion batteries are part of daily life. But as more of these products reach the end of their life, Australia is facing what many experts describe as a “tsunami of used batteries.”

Used lithium‑ion batteries can pose significant fire risk and it is critical to safely prepare them and send them for recycling. Clear, nationally consistent guidance could help reduce this hazard and support safer recycling practices as volumes continue to grow.

Right now, industry participants are navigating fragmented regulatory requirements and a lack of consolidated, practical advice. This new guide aims to provide clarity.

The guide will:

• Provide practical, easy‑to‑follow guidance on packaging and transporting used lithium‑ion batteries
• Support safer handling across the battery value chain
• Reduce the risk of fires and other incidents during storage and transport
• Support Australia’s growing circular economy by improving battery collection activities

The guide is being developed with input from an expert advisory group with representatives from industry and government. Powering Australia and the Australian Government are funding this important work on battery safety through the Building Future Battery Capabilities program. It is expected to be released by mid‑2026.  

“Australians rely on lithium‑ion batteries every day but managing them safely at end‑of‑life is complex. This guide will aim to help industry navigate those challenges with clear, consistent, practical advice that supports safer packaging and transportation of lithium-ion batteries to recycling facilities. We’re proud to be working with ABRI and Powering Australia on a project that could make a real difference to communities, businesses and the environment,” said Rod Balding, Chief Executive Officer at Standards Australia.

“As the shift to electrification accelerates, collaborating with two leaders in standards and industry development allows us to offer practical guidance to ensure the safe recovery of battery materials. This initiative is essential for continually enhancing and updating industry standards, which is crucial as we anticipate the industry to triple in size to $6.9 billion by 2050,” stated Katharine Hole, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for the Battery Recycling Industry.

"Powering Australia is pleased to be working with Standards Australia and ABRI to move Australia’s battery industry forward” said Shannon O’Rourke, Chief Executive Officer at Powering Australia.  

In related work, the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA), on behalf of Heads of EPAs Australia and New Zealand, is developing a National Guideline for the Safe Management of End-of-life Lithium-ion Batteries, with public consultation on Engage Victoria opening Wednesday 15 April. The guideline responds to the increasing prevalence of lithium-ion battery waste and the growing number of fires occurring in trucks and waste transfer stations, and will help establish current best-practice risk mitigation across the sector.