The aim of the project „Survey of Heavy Metal Content of Batteries – Analysis of Representative Samples of Customary Batteries and Batteries Sold in Appliances – Preparation of a Sampling Plan, Purchase of Samples and Analysis (Hg, Pb, Cd)“ was to describe the situation concerning the compliance of the existing limits for heavy metal content in commercially available batteries in Germany on the basis of a representative sample. The limits for the maximum content of heavy metals in batteries are: 5 ppm of mercury (button cells: 20000 ppm), 250 ppm of cadmium and 4000 ppm of lead.