---
title: "FAQ: EU Batteries Regulation carbon footprint performance classes"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/carbon-footprint-classes"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/carbon-footprint-classes"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "FAQ on Article 7 carbon footprint declarations, performance classes, maximum-threshold sequencing, covered battery categories, and delegated-act dependencies."
published_at: "2026-05-09"
updated_at: "2026-05-09"
keywords:
  - "EU Batteries Regulation Article 7"
  - "carbon footprint declaration"
  - "carbon footprint performance classes"
  - "battery carbon footprint thresholds"
  - "Batteries Regulation"
  - "EU Batteries Regulation"
  - "Article 7"
  - "electric vehicle batteries"
  - "industrial batteries"
  - "LMT batteries"
---
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# FAQ: EU Batteries Regulation carbon footprint performance classes

FAQ on Article 7 carbon footprint declarations, performance classes, maximum-threshold sequencing, covered battery categories, and delegated-act dependencies.

*FAQ* *Batteries Regulation* *EU*

## EU Batteries Regulation Carbon footprint classes FAQ

Article 7 starts with carbon footprint declarations, then performance classes, then maximum life-cycle carbon footprint thresholds for covered battery categories.

Use this FAQ to separate what Article 7 already says from details that still depend on delegated or implementing acts.

Under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, carbon footprint classes are not a free-standing label scheme. They sit in an Article 7 sequence: covered battery models first need carbon footprint declarations, then a class label, and later a maximum life-cycle carbon footprint threshold once the Commission has set the relevant delegated rules.

## Which batteries are covered by Article 7 carbon footprint classes?

Article 7 covers electric vehicle batteries, rechargeable industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh, and batteries for light means of transport (LMT). It distinguishes rechargeable industrial batteries with external storage from other rechargeable industrial batteries when setting application timing.

For those categories, the declaration and class are tied to each battery model per manufacturing plant. Teams should therefore map the battery category, model identifier, manufacturing plant, and whether the industrial battery has external storage before assigning an Article 7 workstream.

- Covered categories: electric vehicle batteries, rechargeable industrial batteries above 2 kWh, and LMT batteries.
- Model boundary: the Article 7 declaration is for each battery model per manufacturing plant.
- Industrial-battery split: external-storage industrial batteries have their own Article 7 timing path.
- Out-of-scope for this FAQ: portable, SLI, and other batteries unless they also fall into one of the Article 7 covered categories.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries - Article 7](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj/eng?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7 identifies the battery categories covered by the carbon-footprint declaration, class-label, and threshold sequence.
- [EUR-Lex summary of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/sustainability-rules-for-batteries-and-waste-batteries.html?ref=sorena.io) - EUR-Lex summary confirms that the Batteries Regulation covers portable, electric vehicle, industrial, SLI, and LMT battery categories.

## What is the Article 7 sequence for declarations, classes, and thresholds?

The sequence is cumulative. First, the covered battery model needs a carbon footprint declaration. Second, the battery bears a label declaring the carbon footprint performance class for that model and plant. Third, once the relevant delegated act sets maximum life-cycle carbon footprint thresholds, the technical documentation must show that the declared life-cycle carbon footprint value is below the applicable threshold.

That sequence matters because a class is not the same thing as a market-access threshold. Annex II says classes are based on the distribution of declared values for batteries placed on the market, with category A as the best class. Maximum thresholds are a later limit, set after information has been collected through declarations and class distribution and after a dedicated impact assessment.

- Step 1: draw up the carbon footprint declaration for the battery model per manufacturing plant.
- Step 2: apply the carbon footprint performance class label once the class rules and label format apply.
- Step 3: prove the declared value is below the maximum life-cycle carbon footprint threshold once the threshold delegated act applies.
- Do not treat an Article 7 class boundary as established unless the relevant delegated act has set it.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries - Article 7 and Annex II](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj/eng?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7 and Annex II support the declaration, class-label, and maximum-threshold sequence and explain how classes and thresholds are to be set.

## Which delegated and implementing acts control carbon footprint classes?

Article 7 does not itself publish the calculation methodology, class boundaries, label formats, or maximum threshold values. It gives the Commission different tasks: delegated acts for the calculation and verification methodology, delegated acts for performance classes, implementing acts for the declaration and label formats, and delegated acts for maximum life-cycle carbon footprint thresholds.

The practical consequence is that teams should track four dependencies separately. A declaration format alone does not settle the calculation methodology, a calculation methodology alone does not set class boundaries, and a class delegated act does not necessarily mean the maximum-threshold requirement is already known.

- Calculation dependency: delegated act for calculating and verifying the carbon footprint.
- Declaration dependency: implementing act for the carbon footprint declaration format.
- Class dependency: delegated act establishing carbon footprint performance classes, plus an implementing act for label and class-declaration formats.
- Threshold dependency: delegated act determining maximum life-cycle carbon footprint thresholds for the relevant Article 7 categories.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries - Article 7 delegated and implementing acts](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj/eng?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7 separates Commission powers for methodology, declaration format, class rules, label formats, and maximum thresholds.
- [Draft Commission act on the carbon footprint declaration format](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=PI_COM:Ares(2024)3131449&ref=sorena.io) - Draft notification source showing the proposed common fields for the Article 7 carbon footprint declaration format.
- [JRC methodological support for industrial battery carbon footprints](https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/calculating-carbon-footprint-industrial-batteries-methodological-support-2025-05-28_en?ref=sorena.io) - JRC source explaining that industrial-battery carbon-footprint methodology work feeds into later delegated-act development.

## What evidence should teams keep before class boundaries are known?

Until the relevant class and threshold acts are available for the battery category, the useful evidence is the category and model analysis, calculation inputs, declaration fields, and change-control history. The regulation expects technical documentation to support the declared carbon footprint value and the class, including calculations and the evidence determining the input data.

Keep the evidence aligned to the model and plant. Annex II says the life-cycle carbon footprint calculation is based on the bill of materials, energy, and auxiliary materials used in a specific manufacturing plant for a specific battery model; sampling from different plants for the same model is not allowed, and a change in the bill of materials or energy mix requires recalculation.

- Battery category, model identifier, manufacturing plant, and external-storage assessment for industrial batteries.
- Bill of materials, energy mix, auxiliary materials, lifecycle-stage values, and public study link used for the declaration.
- Record of the delegated and implementing acts used for methodology, declaration format, class labels, and thresholds.
- Recalculation trigger log for bill-of-materials changes and energy-mix changes.
- Technical documentation showing the carbon footprint value, class basis, calculations, and input-data evidence once class rules apply.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries - Annex II and Annex VIII](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj/eng?ref=sorena.io) - Annex II supports model-and-plant-specific calculation records; Annex VIII requires a study supporting Article 7 values and class.
- [Draft Commission act on the carbon footprint declaration format](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=PI_COM:Ares(2024)3131449&ref=sorena.io) - Draft declaration format lists practical declaration fields, including manufacturer, model, plant location, lifecycle-stage values, conformity declaration number, and public study link.

## What should teams avoid saying about carbon footprint classes?

Do not publish class boundaries, width of classes, or maximum threshold values unless the relevant delegated act for the battery category supports them. The regulation explains the factors the Commission must use, but it does not turn those factors into final numeric class boundaries in Article 7 itself.

Also avoid saying that carbon footprint classes alone determine market access. Under the Article 7 structure, the class label differentiates batteries by declared carbon footprint performance, while the later maximum life-cycle threshold is the requirement that the declared value must be below once the threshold delegated act applies.

- Avoid unsupported A/B/C boundary tables for Article 7 classes.
- Avoid using a draft methodology or declaration format as if it were a final class-boundary act.
- Avoid merging declaration timing, class-label timing, and maximum-threshold timing into one obligation.
- Avoid one calculation record for multiple plants when the regulation requires model-per-plant support.

Sources for this answer:

- [Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries - Annex II class and threshold conditions](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj/eng?ref=sorena.io) - Annex II states that class thresholds and maximum carbon thresholds depend on market distribution, technical factors, and dedicated Commission assessment.

## Primary sources

- [Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries - Article 7 and Annex II](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj/eng?ref=sorena.io) - Binding source for Article 7 covered categories, declaration/class/threshold sequencing, delegated and implementing act dependencies, and Annex II class-setting criteria.
  - Quote: "category A being the best class"
- [Draft Commission act on the carbon footprint declaration format](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=PI_COM:Ares(2024)3131449&ref=sorena.io) - Grounding source for the proposed Article 7 declaration-format fields and the link between declaration format and delegated methodology acts.
  - Quote: "establishing the format of the carbon footprint declaration"
- [JRC methodological support for industrial battery carbon footprints](https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/calculating-carbon-footprint-industrial-batteries-methodological-support-2025-05-28_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission JRC source for industrial-battery carbon-footprint methodology support and future delegated-act work for industrial and LMT battery categories.
  - Quote: "methodology to declare the carbon footprint performance classes"
- [EUR-Lex summary of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/sustainability-rules-for-batteries-and-waste-batteries.html?ref=sorena.io) - Plain-language EUR-Lex source for the regulation's battery-category scope and sustainability context.
  - Quote: "mandatory information on the carbon footprint of batteries"

## Topic Guides

- [Batteries Regulation vs ESPR](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/batteries-regulation-vs-espr.md): Compare EU Batteries Regulation duties with ESPR framework rules: scope, economic operators, DPP overlap, delegated acts, sustainability evidence, and reuse limits.
- [Battery Passport Data Model Template for the EU Batteries Regulation](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/battery-passport-data-model-template.md): Template for an EU Batteries Regulation battery passport data model: Article 77 scope, QR-linked identifiers, Annex XIII field groups, access tiers, owners, and evidence.
- [Battery passport evidence workflow under EU Regulation 2023/1542](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/battery-passport-evidence-workflow.md): Build a battery passport evidence workflow for Article 77 and Annex XIII: QR code access, access rights, provenance, conformity evidence, lifecycle updates, and ownership.
- [Battery Passport vs ESPR Digital Product Passport](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/battery-passport-vs-digital-product-passport.md): Compare the EU Batteries Regulation battery passport with the ESPR digital product passport framework across scope, access rights, QR and data carrier rules, interoperability, and reuse limits.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Applicability Test](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/applicability-test.md): Decide whether Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 applies to a battery, battery cell, module, pack, product with an incorporated battery, operator role, or EU market activity.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Article 11 removability FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/removability-and-replaceability.md): FAQ on Article 11 removability and replaceability duties for portable and LMT batteries, including end-user removal, professional replacement, spares, software, and evidence.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Article 11: battery removability and replaceability](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/removability-and-replaceability.md): Article 11 guidance for portable and LMT batteries: end-user replacement, independent professionals, instructions, spare batteries, compatible batteries, software limits, and evidence.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Article 13 labels and consumer information](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/labeling-and-consumer-information.md): Article 13 guide to EU battery labels, separate collection marking, heavy-metal symbols, QR code links, capacity and duration notices, packaging fallback, and evidence.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Article 8 recycled content calculation FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/recycled-content-calculation.md): FAQ on Article 8 recycled content calculations for EU Batteries Regulation battery models, materials, thresholds, documentation, and delegated methodology status.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Battery Categories and Scope](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/battery-categories-and-scope.md): Classify batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 across portable, SLI, LMT, electric vehicle, and industrial categories, including incorporated batteries and multipurpose products.
- [EU Batteries Regulation battery category routing workflow](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/battery-category-routing-workflow.md): Classify portable, SLI, LMT, EV, industrial, and incorporated batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, then route carbon footprint, recycled content, passport, removability, due diligence, and waste-battery duties.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Battery Passport Fields](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/battery-passport-fields.md): Field-level guide to Article 77 and Annex XIII battery passport data: scope, QR access, public and restricted fields, and model versus individual battery records.
- [EU Batteries Regulation battery passport fields FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/battery-passport-fields.md): FAQ on Article 77 and Annex XIII battery passport field groups, public and restricted access, QR codes, unique identifiers, and model versus individual battery data.
- [EU Batteries Regulation category routing FAQ: portable, LMT, SLI, EV and industrial batteries](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/category-routing.md): FAQ guidance for routing batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 across portable, LMT, SLI, EV and industrial categories, including incorporated batteries and obligation checks.
- [EU Batteries Regulation compliance checklist](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/checklist.md): A grounded checklist for Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 covering battery category, operator role, conformity, CE marking, labels, QR codes, passports, removability, due diligence, waste batteries, and evidence records.
- [EU Batteries Regulation compliance structure](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/compliance.md): Structure Batteries Regulation compliance by battery category, operator role, conformity evidence, passport data, removability, due diligence, and waste-battery responsibility.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Conformity Assessment](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/conformity-assessment-and-ce-marking.md): Article 17 and Annex VIII guide to EU Batteries Regulation conformity assessment, EU declarations of conformity, CE marking, notified bodies, and release evidence.
- [EU Batteries Regulation deadlines and compliance calendar](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): A grounded EU Batteries Regulation calendar for application dates, secondary-act dependencies, QR and passport milestones, removability, carbon footprint, recycled content, and waste obligations.
- [EU Batteries Regulation due diligence program: Chapter VII requirements](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/due-diligence-program.md): Article 47-52 guide to battery due diligence policies, management systems, supply-chain controls, Annex X risks, third-party verification, disclosure, and records.
- [EU Batteries Regulation due diligence threshold FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/due-diligence-thresholds.md): FAQ on the EU Batteries Regulation Chapter VII due diligence threshold, Article 47 exclusions, Annex X raw materials, and verification and disclosure records.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Due Diligence Thresholds](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/due-diligence-thresholds.md): Check when Chapter VII battery due diligence applies under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, including the EUR 40 million turnover exclusion, second-life battery exclusion, raw material scope, and notified-body verification route.
- [EU Batteries Regulation economic operator roles FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/economic-operator-roles.md): FAQ on manufacturer, importer, distributor, fulfilment service provider, producer, and second-life operator roles under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.
- [EU Batteries Regulation FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq.md): Answers to practical EU Batteries Regulation questions on battery categories, CE conformity, QR labels, battery passports, due diligence, removability, and waste collection duties.
- [EU Batteries Regulation NANDO and notified bodies FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/nando.md): When notified bodies matter under the EU Batteries Regulation, how to use the Single Market Compliance Space/NANDO lookup, and what scope evidence to retain.
- [EU Batteries Regulation penalties and fines: Article 93 enforcement framework](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/penalties-and-fines.md): Source-grounded guide to EU Batteries Regulation penalties: Article 93 Member State rules, market-surveillance action, formal non-compliance, due diligence enforcement, and evidence to preserve.
- [EU Batteries Regulation Producer Responsibility](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/waste-collection-and-producer-responsibility.md): Grounded guide to EU Batteries Regulation EPR: producer registration, free take-back, portable and LMT collection targets, distributor duties, treatment evidence, and Member State boundaries.
- [EU Batteries Regulation producer responsibility reporting workflow](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/producer-responsibility-reporting-workflow.md): A source-grounded workflow for EU Batteries Regulation producer registration, EPR reporting, collection evidence, take-back records, and Article 75 data handoffs.
- [EU Batteries Regulation QR code and label timing FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/qr-and-label-timing.md): FAQ on Article 13 battery labels, the 18 February 2027 QR code rule, battery passport access, and Commission act dependencies under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.
- [EU Batteries Regulation recycled content and recovery targets](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/recycled-content-and-recovery-targets.md): Article 8 recycled-content duties, Annex XII recycling efficiency and material recovery targets, covered battery categories, materials, dates, and evidence records.
- [EU Batteries Regulation requirements overview](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/requirements.md): A grounded overview of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 requirements for battery scope, sustainability, conformity, labels, QR codes, passports, due diligence, waste duties, and evidence outputs.
- [EU Batteries Regulation supplier due diligence questionnaire](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/battery-due-diligence-supplier-questionnaire.md): Supplier questionnaire structure for EU Batteries Regulation battery due diligence: Chapter VII scope, Annex X raw materials, supply-chain evidence, verification, disclosure, and records.
- [EU Batteries Regulation: carbon footprint declaration requirements and data](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/carbon-footprint-declarations.md): Article 7 carbon footprint declaration scope, required fields, lifecycle stages, technical documentation, and public-access evidence for EU battery compliance.
- [EU Batteries Regulation: CE Marking FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/ce-and-conformity-assessment.md): FAQ on Article 17 conformity assessment, Annex VIII modules, EU declarations of conformity, CE marking, notified bodies, and importer and distributor checks under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.
- [EU Batteries Regulation: choosing the right conformity assessment route](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/conformity-assessment-route-workflow.md): Choose the Article 17 conformity assessment route for batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, including Module A, D1, G, notified body evidence, declaration, and CE marking outputs.
- [EU Batteries Regulation: evidence pack for carbon footprint and recycled content targets](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/carbon-footprint-and-recycled-content-evidence.md): What to keep for EU Batteries Regulation Article 7 carbon-footprint declarations and Article 8 recycled-content documentation, with covered battery categories and source-linked evidence fields.
- [EU Batteries Regulation: Waste Collection FAQ](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/faq/waste-collection-and-recycling-reporting.md): FAQ on EU Batteries Regulation waste battery collection, producer registration, free take-back, collection targets, recycling, and reporting evidence.
- [EU Battery Passport Implementation Under Article 77](/artifacts/eu/batteries-regulation/battery-passport-implementation.md): Source-grounded implementation guide for Article 77 battery passports: scope, QR codes, identifiers, access rights, updates, storage, and responsibility transfers.

*Recommended next step*

*Placement: after evidence section*

## Track Article 7 acts before publishing class claims

Use Sorena to connect battery model data, plant-specific carbon-footprint evidence, and the delegated or implementing acts that control each Article 7 step.

- [Open Research Copilot](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Check Article 7 delegated and implementing acts against cited source material.
- [Discuss Batteries Regulation implementation](/contact.md): Review battery category scope, declaration evidence, and carbon-footprint class dependencies with Sorena.


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