Ways to improve the limited data and transparency of lithium-ion batteries supply chains

Due to i) incomplete coverage of mineral-containing commodities along their supply chains, ii) insufficient information provided by country-of-origin reporting, and iii) discrepancies in bilateral trade data reporting, the limitations in trade statistics necessitate identifying complementary ways for obtaining more data and information on the supply chains. In the case of lithium-ion batteries placed on the EU market, consolidation of data from i) existing public statistics, ii) application of more unified standards and end-to-end voluntary certification schemes incorporating traceability systems, and iii) the due diligence reports to be submitted by large companies within the framework of the EU Battery Regulation can increase their supply chain transparency.