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Batteries: Fire Prevention

Asked by Alex SobelLabour (Co-op)Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 16 March 2026UIN 118854

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what interventions she plans to put in place to mitigate the public safety and economic risks posed by batter fires in waste centres.

Answered by Mary Creagh

The department is aware from ongoing discussions with industry that the reported costs of battery fires in waste centres are significant, and this is a major concern. Defra is currently considering options for reforms of the batteries regulations that would help to address this issue, and as part of this we will include our own assessment of the cost to the economy of battery fires in waste centres. Defra will continue to work with industry on this matter.

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