By Joe Janeliunas

With the new battery directive 2006/66/EC, the selling of Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries was banned after September 26, 2008 in Europe.

This ban concerns all existing products using NiCd batteries. If a replacement is needed, nickel-metal hydride battery (NiMH) batteries must be used.

All manufacturers have to ensure for their products already sold that replacing NiCd batteries with NiMH batteries will not cause any dangerous situation. It has to be considered that the charging unit designed for NiCd batteries cannot overcharge or overheat a NiMH battery. Normally the capacity of a NiMH battery is bigger than that of a NiCd battery. Hence, chargers controlled by time should not be critical.

Many chargers use a voltage dip at the end of charging of NiCd batteries to detect the "fully charged condition." This voltage dip does not occur with NiMH batteries and therefore the "fully charged condition" might not be detected. Overcharging might be the consequence in such cases.

In the event that modifications to an already certified product are required, a new product certification will be necessary.

Conclusion:

1. NiCd batteries are banned from selling after September 26, 2008 in Europe. No transition period exists.
   
2. All already certified products using NiCd batteries must be evaluated by the manufacturer regarding safety issues when replacing NiCd batteries with NiMH batteries.
   
3. Where modifications are necessary, new testing and certification is needed.
   
4. Products designed for NiCd batteries will no longer be certified.

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