The European Battery Regulation and Digital Battery Passport: Prospects and Challenges

With the rapid and exponential expansion of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) market, a new regulatory framework has been introduced, centered on the implementation of a Battery Passport (BP) to enhance transparency, traceability, and sustainability across the battery value chain. This review aims to provide the context in which the BP is being implemented by discussing the reliance of LIBs on critical raw materials (CRMs), as well as the related economic and regulatory aspects of the BP system. Furthermore, it examines ongoing BP initiatives and pilot projects and discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with this tool, highlighting its central role in enabling a circular LIB economy in Europe. A critical analysis from a research-oriented perspective is also provided.