Digital ‘passport’ coming for e-scooter and e-bike batteries

ZAGREB, 17 September 2026 (Hina) – Certain batteries used in e-scooters and e-bikes will be among the first products in the European Union required to carry a new digital product passport, with the system set to begin from 18 February 2027.

The development was outlined in the Croatian Parliament this week by Ivan Rakocija, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, during discussion of legislation implementing an EU regulation on ecodesign for sustainable products.

The first phase will cover certain batteries used in e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as industrial batteries with a capacity above 2 kWh. Rakocija said these batteries had been prioritised because of their potential environmental impact and the valuable metals they contain that can be recovered.

The digital product passport will provide information about a product’s environmental performance, chemical composition, repairability and recyclability. Under the new framework, products covered by the requirements will need a registered digital passport to be placed on the EU market.

The system will be introduced progressively to other product categories. The Croatian Ministry of Economy says future applications will include textiles, steel, aluminium, tyres, furniture, construction products and toys.

The EU regulation applies broadly to physical products placed on the European market, including components and intermediate products, although several categories are excluded, including food, medicines, live plants and animals and certain products already covered by specific legislation.

The new framework also introduces measures aimed at extending product lifespans and reducing waste.

Companies will generally be prohibited from destroying unsold or returned products, except where this is necessary for safety or health reasons. Manufacturers will also be required to provide spare parts and repair information, while businesses will have obligations relating to the collection and reuse of products and components.

The EU regulation, adopted in 2024, replaces the previous ecodesign framework, which largely focused on energy-related products. The new system expands the scope to a much wider range of physical goods and establishes requirements designed to reduce environmental impacts throughout their life cycles.

During the parliamentary discussion, MPs also raised the issue of greenwashing and the availability of systems for recycling and reusing materials in Croatia.

The legislation provides the national framework for implementing the EU regulation in Croatia, including market surveillance, inspection powers and sanctions for breaches.