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Reporting an Infringement of The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 (referred to hereafter as "the Batteries Regulations").

The VCA is responsible for the enforcement of the regulations in so far they affect distributor's obligations.

VCA Enforcement Report - February 2010 to February 2011 (PDF 197.9KB)

The VCA will investigate where distributors may have failed in their obligation in respect of the following:

• Failure to take back waste portable batteries at no charge.
• Failure to inform end-users about the possibility of such take back at the sales points.
• Attempting to make any charge to end-users.
• Attempting to oblige end-users to buy a new battery.
• Dispose of, or arrange for the disposal of, waste portable batteries outside of a BCS arrangement.
• Attempting to show separately the costs of the collection, treatment and recycling of waste portable batteries to an end-user at the time of sale of new portable batteries.

Information in respect of the above should be directed to the VCA on tel: 0844 8000 819 (For the hard-of-hearing, please prefix this number with 18001).

Alternatively, you can send us an Email to: batteries@vca.gov.uk

Information in respect of all other matters concerning the Batteries Regulations should be directed to the relevant Agency as shown below:

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (defra)

Portable Batteries
Producer Responsibility Unit
Waste Regulation and Business Waste
Defra
Area D, Floor 6
Ergon House
Horseferry Road
London, SW1P 2AL
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7215 5822
Email: portable.batteries@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/producer/batteries/

The Environment Agency for England and Wales

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Tel: (UK) 08708 506 506 / (Non-UK) +44 1709 389 201
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency

SEPA Corporate Office
Erskine Court
Castle Business Park
Stirling
FK9 4TR

Tel: +44(0) 1786 457 700
Email: info@sepa.org.uk
Website: www.sepa.org.uk

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Producer Responsibility Unit
Klondyke Building
Cromac Avenue
Gasworks Business Park
Lower Ormeau Road
Belfast
BT7 2JA

Tel: 0845 302 0008
Website: http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/waste-home/regulation/batteries/producers_and_distributors.htm