TS 13654

TS 13654 is a workplace standard dealing with the rules for collecting, transporting, and interim storing waste accumulators. In practical terms, it addresses the controlled handling and temporary holding of batteries after use, so they can move through the waste stream without creating avoidable operational or environmental issues. The scope covers portable accumulators used in all types of automotive applications, including motorcycles and electric bicycles, as well as industrial accumulators.

Which accumulator types fall within the scope

The standard’s scope distinguishes between portable accumulators and industrial type accumulators. Portable units are typically those used in vehicles or devices where replacement and removal are straightforward, while industrial accumulators are associated with larger, more specialised applications or fixed installations. That distinction matters because waste handling needs can differ by size, configuration, chemistry, and intended use, even though all such products require careful end-of-life management.

What collection, transport, and interim storage mean in practice

In general technical terms, collection means separating spent accumulators at source and gathering them for further management; transportation is the movement of those units through the logistics chain; and interim storage is the temporary holding stage before recycling, recovery, or final treatment. Accumulators can contain electrolytes and other materials that require careful handling, and they also present short-circuit and spill-related risks if stored or moved improperly. For that reason, the subject of this standard sits at the intersection of waste logistics, workplace organisation, and environmental control.

TS 13654 itself is a withdrawn standard, but its subject remains relevant to battery waste management and recycling systems. Its value lies in defining the operational framework around a sensitive waste category rather than describing battery design or performance.