First Global Commercial Remanufacturing Standard for Aging PHEV/EV Battery Packs Released in Europe to Regulate Circular Maintenance

On May 21, 2026, the Battery Recycling Technical Committee, led by the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), officially released the Code of Practice for Commercial Module-Level Remanufacturing and Safety of Retired Batteries to the global aftermarket.

 As the first generation of mass-market electric vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) exit their factory warranty periods, the global market is encountering its first major wave of “battery aging.” The new standard provides the Independent Aftermarket (IAM) with a legally compliant, practical guide for “module-level chemical restoration and cell rebalancing.” This framework outlines how independent workshops can utilize digital electrochemical diagnostic tools to precisely replace individually damaged cells and safely recalibrate the Battery Management System (BMS), avoiding the need for an expensive full battery pack replacement.

Impact:

1. Green & Low-Carbon Transition: Provides actionable operational standards for the automotive repair industry’s shift toward a low-carbon circular economy, with projections showing a 60% reduction in the direct scrappage of decommissioned batteries.

2. Breaking OEM Monopolies: Independent repair facilities gain standardized technical backing, allowing car owners to repair their battery systems at roughly one-third of the price quoted by traditional OEM dealerships.