THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 95(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,
After consulting the Committee of the Regions,
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty,
Whereas:
(1)
Article 6(2) of Directive 2006/66/EC should be clarified in order that batteries and accumulators which were legally placed on the market anywhere in the Community before 26 September 2008 and which do not comply with that Directive can remain on the market in the Community after this date. This clarification would provide legal certainty for batteries placed on the market in the Community and would ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market. The clarification is in line with the principle of waste minimisation and would contribute to reducing administrative burdens.
(2)
Directive 2006/66/EC should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: