A Turkish Ministry of Trade guidance page highlights 18 August 2026 for new EU battery labels. The binding EU text is more precise: Article 13 says the requirements apply from that date or 18 months after the relevant implementing act enters into force, whichever is later. Exporters should therefore treat 18 August as a compliance milestone, not assume one date settles every product case.
What the labels are expected to show
The regulation covers general battery information. Rechargeable portable, light-means-of-transport and starter batteries are also expected to show capacity. Non-rechargeable portable batteries must carry minimum-duration information for specified uses and be marked as non-rechargeable.
Why the legal date needs checking
Article 13 does not state an unconditional 18 August 2026 start. It uses the later of that date and 18 months after the implementing act on harmonised specifications enters into force. Product teams should verify the final implementing measure and its entry-into-force date before declaring a label legally complete.
What Turkish exporters should do now
Map every battery and battery-containing product by category, intended use and EU destination. Align technical files, label artwork, capacity claims, conformity documents and the responsible EU economic operator. Keep evidence showing which version of the rules and specifications was used.
QR codes are a separate step
The regulation sets 18 February 2027 for QR codes, with different information destinations depending on battery type. That is separate from the Article 13 label content and should be tracked as its own workstream. This report is a regulatory briefing, not legal advice for a specific product.