By Jack Gramenz and Farid Farid

Commonplace lithium batteries with potential to spark toxic and intense fires could be regulated in a national first.

The batteries are the first target of a NSW plan to requiring makers and sellers of products deemed to pose a risk of environmental harm to follow requirements in design, safe disposal, recycling and other aspects.

Environment Minister Penny Sharpe says consumer batteries, solar system batteries and electric bikes and scooters must be made as safe as possible.

“We want batteries out of bins, we want them out of trucks and we want them out of waste facilities,” the NSW minister said.

The state will be the first to implement such laws, if they pass, creating a framework for suppliers to participate in mandatory stewardship schemes.

The proposal marks a pivotal moment and needs to expand nationwide, says chief executive Libby Chaplin of battery recycling scheme B-Cycle.

“We’ve been calling for stronger regulation for some time now to eliminate free riders and ensure safe and sustainable battery disposal,” she said.

Too many companies avoid responsibility under voluntary schemes and the NSW bill sets a new national benchmark, she added.

“It’s a direct response to the waste and recycling fires we’ve seen across the country, and it finally holds industry accountable for ensuring safe and responsible battery disposal.”

There are between 10,000 and 12,000 fires each year in trucks and at waste facilities caused by the improper disposal, use and poor design of lithium batteries, according to estimates by the waste and recycling industry.

Fire and Rescue NSW have dealt with hundreds lithium-ion battery incidents in recent times, that have led to multiple fatalities and at least 33 injuries.

Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib told parliament more than 1000 people have had to be evacuated because of these fires.

Under the planned laws, battery suppliers will have to register battery products and facilitate safe disposal or recycling through dedicated collection points.

They will be charged with running public education campaigns and obligated to enhance their battery products in areas ranging from packaging and importation to safety and recycling potential.

The laws and regulations will apply to smaller embedded batteries found in everyday devices such as cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes, children’s toys, bikes and scooters.

The latter are not yet legal on public roads in NSW despite their widespread use, but an inquiry recently recommended safety standards and protocols and guidance for storing and charging their batteries.

It also recommended a deposit-refund scheme for consumers and a strengthened stewardship program for the industry.

The government has until May to respond to the report.