Battery Law Information

Key regulations for consumers and businesses in Switzerland:

Return obligation:

End consumers are legally required to return used batteries and rechargeable batteries to a point of sale or an official collection point. Under no circumstances may they be disposed of in household waste.

Retailers’ take-back obligation:

Any retailer that carries batteries or rechargeable batteries in their product range must also take them back free of charge—regardless of whether a new purchase is made and regardless of the brand.

Advance disposal fee (VEG):

A disposal fee is added to the sales price of every battery. This fee finances the collection, transport, and recycling carried out by the organization INOBAT.

Labeling:

Batteries must be labeled with the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol. For batteries containing hazardous substances (e.g., lead, cadmium, or mercury), the chemical symbols (Pb, Cd, Hg) must also be indicated.

Collection points:

There are over 12,000 collection points in Switzerland, often located in supermarkets, department stores, or post offices.

Note for businesses: Manufacturers and importers must register with INOBAT and comply with the legal reporting and fee obligations.