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The partnership is developing an international environmental standard to certify lead battery manufacturing facilities that meet minimum emission limits and implement a collection programme for battery recycling. Achievement of these goals will reduce environmental lead exposures worldwide.

Lead poisoning is considered the most serious environmental health threat to children and is one of the most significant contributors to occupational disease. Lead causes symptoms ranging from the loss of neurological function to death depending upon the extent of exposure. In children, lead exposure is responsible for a significant decrease in school performance, and the lowering of IQ scores. Both children and adults can suffer from a range of illnesses including effects on the central nervous system, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and blood formation.

The World Health Organization estimates that 120 million people are overexposed to lead with 99 percent of the most severely affected in the developing world. Batteries account for the largest segment of lead use – more than 75 percent.

To reduce the emission of lead both in the manufacture and disposal of batteries, a partnership has been set up in India by Occupational Knowledge (OK) International with Development Alternatives, the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India and a lead battery manufacturer – Amara Raja.

The partnership aims to establish an environmental audit and certification programme for lead battery manufacturing facilities worldwide. Manufacturers that meet minimum emission standards and agree to implement a system to collect used lead batteries for proper recycling will be eligible for certification and for placement of an eco-label on their products.

At the same time, major battery purchasers will be persuaded to choose only eco-label batteries, thereby encouraging all manufacturers to seek the certification.

The partnership is working cooperatively with lead battery manufacturers, government and nongovernmental organizations to develop the necessary industry-wide environmental performance criteria and is currently pilot-testing the audit protocol in two battery plants in India.