Occupational Knowledge International, with support from IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced at the Auto Expo in New Delhi a new program to certify battery manufacturers that meet minimum emissions standards and recycle lead batteries. Under the Better Environmental Sustainability Targets program, certified battery manufacturers can display an eco-label on their products, indicating that they meet the environmental requirements of export markets.

Participants in the BEST program include Indian battery producers including Tata GS Batteries, and bulk purchasers such as Hero Honda, Indian Railways, and Tata Motors; the government of India; international agencies; and nongovernmental organizations.

“Adoption of the eco-label provides a great incentive for companies to improve pollution control in India,” said Perry Gottesfeld, Executive Director of Occupational Knowledge International.

“This program will help establish global best practices in environmental and social sustainability, especially in growth industries such as auto components and electronics, as well as in renewable energies, which depend on lead batteries as a back-up,” said Monika Weber-Fahr, IFC Manager of the Sustainability Business Innovator.

Lead batteries, which are used for cars, computers, generators, and other products, are a major pollution hazard, especially in the developing world. Lead poisoning is one of the most serious environmental health threats to children and a noxious contributor to occupational diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that 120 million people worldwide are overexposed to lead, with 99 percent of them residing in developing countries. 

S. Vijayanand, Deputy General Manager of Amara Raja Batteries Ltd, said, “As a responsible manufacturer of lead acid batteries, we have taken it upon ourselves to work toward a standard for emissions and battery handling, which was developed by our non-governmental partners. This is a long-term benefit for the world, as well as for the way the battery industry is perceived.”

Battery manufacturers in most developing countries are required only to collect a small percentage of used batteries for proper recycling. As a result, backyard smelters for recycling batteries have proliferated, contributing further to lead poisoning and environmental contamination.

IFC has contributed about $350,000 or 55 per cent of total costs for the program, which is also supported by the Finnish and Norwegian governments.

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