PETALING JAYA: A mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism requiring electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and importers to take back and bear the cost of managing end-of-life batteries has yet to be established, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said the implementation requires further consideration of legal aspects, manufacturers and importers responsibilities and financing mechanisms.
Policy coordination between the ministry and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry is also required.
However, the ministry said the Department of Standards Malaysia together with the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (Marii), is developing the MS 2818: Battery Passport for Electrified Vehicle (General Requirements) standard as part of measures to support the development of a sustainable EV ecosystem.
"This is Asean's first battery passport standard initiative.
"Under this approach, a battery's identity, usage history and lifecycle are digitally recorded and tracked," it said in a written parliamentary reply on Friday (Oct 16).
The ministry explained that the initiative will support more systematic battery management for reuse, remanufacturing and recycling, while improving transparency and reducing the risk of uncontrolled battery disposal.
The ministry added that EV batteries that have become scheduled waste are regulated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005, specifically under waste code SW103.
"Waste generators are responsible for ensuring that these batteries are handled, stored and sent to authorised premises in accordance with legal requirements," it said.
It also said there were seven off-site recovery facilities for scheduled waste classified under code SW103, as of March 4 this year.
They are operating in Kedah, Selangor, Johor, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Penang.
The ministry was responding to a question by Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok) who asked if the government plans to introduce EPR principles compelling EV manufacturers and importers to take back and bear the costs of disposing end-of-life batteries.
He also asked about the number of EV batteries that have been disposed of or recycled from 2021 to 2026.
To this, the ministry said further verification of scheduled waste management records is required to determine the specific quantity of EV batteries that were disposed of or recycled between 2021 and 2026.
However, it noted that 13,743.15 metric tonnes of battery waste classified under code SW103 was generated nationwide between 2021 and 2025.
"This figure covers all battery waste classified under the code and is not limited to EV batteries," said the ministry.
The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the sustainable development of the country's automotive industry by ensuring that technological advancement and economic growth go hand in hand with environmental preservation.
"The end goal is to make sure technological progress we enjoy today does not become an environmental burden borne by future generations.
"The shared commitment and responsibility of all parties are essential to realising the development of a truly sustainable EV industry," it said.
