The "Battery Recycling for America’s Competitive Economy Act” or the “BRACE Act” aims to manage end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and update regulations for the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act. It specifically involves the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the administration of these efforts. The bill intends to impact the recycling and management of lithium-ion batteries, as well as the regulations governing mercury-containing and rechargeable batteries.
Battery Recycling for America’s Competitive Economy Act or the BRACE Act
This bill modifies the regulation of lithium-ion batteries under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in order to facilitate the recycling of lithium-ion batteries and the recovery of critical minerals. Specifically, the bill directs certain facilities that store lithium-ion batteries prior to recycling them to follow regulations for large quantity handlers of universal waste instead of following the more stringent hazardous waste regulations that currently apply, thereby allowing these facilities to store lithium-ion batteries without needing a special permit.