As part of BMW of North America's commitment to sustainability and compliance, we would like to
introduce our new Li-Battery (Lithium-Ion Battery) recycling program through Redwood Materials and
emphasize the importance of proper lithium-ion battery recycling.
Normal end-of-life warranty replacements and recalled batteries are the property of BMW NA. As such,
BMW covers the cost of the battery recycling program, and there will be no cost to the dealer network.
In this Document you will find the following:
•
•
•
•
•

Battery Core Credit Process.
Normal End of Life Recycling Process for all Lithium-Ion Batteries.
Recall Battery Recycling Process.
Hazardous Material Transportation and Packaging Training.
24-Hour Emergency Contact Information.

MORE DETAILS
We request all BMW Centers follow our core return process through Redwood Materials, as outlined in
this bulletin, to ensure that all used batteries are disposed of safely and efficiently.
Lithium-Ion batteries replaced through Customer Pay repairs should be recycled through the same
process at no charge to the dealer network.
IMPORTANT:
•

•

DO NOT DISPOSE OF THE BATTERY PACKAGING IN WHICH THE NEW BATTERY IS DELIVERED,
AS IT IS REQUIRED FOR SHIPPING THE NORMAL END OF LIFE CORES (NOT RECALLED) BACK
FOR RECYCLING.
DO NOT SEND ANY LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES TO THE WPRC. Lithium-ion batteries are strictly
prohibited from being sent to any WPRC facility. Failure to comply with this directive could result in
catastrophic consequences including fines and a partial or full claim debit.

•

It is critical that lithium-ion batteries are not co-mingled with lead acid or AGM battery cores.

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TAKE ACTION
•

Review the instructions in the subsequent pages to prepare shipments for Lithium-Ion batteries (low
and high voltage batteries) removed from vehicles.

If you have additional questions regarding the preparation of the shipment, please contact Redwood
Materials.

Battery Core Credit Process.
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•

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•

NEW! Starting September 1st, 2024, all Li-Batteries (12V, 48V and high voltage) will have a core
charge ($150 to $600 dollars) depending on the size of the battery and capacity.
For warranty and non- warranty Li-Batteries purchased after September 1st, 2024, a YRE5 parts
return code will be required to initiate the recycling request through Redwood’s portal, and to generate
the core credit back to the dealer.
Any battery purchased prior to September 1st, 2024, will not qualify for a core credit, and will not
require a YRE5 to initiate the pickup request.
Please allow 30 days after the date of pick up for credits to appear in your statement.

Normal End of Life Li-Batteries (Non-Recalled or Damage).
•

For all low and high voltage lithium-ion batteries replaced under normal diagnosis or repairs, place the
battery/module in the returnable packaging that you received the replacement part in. If the package
is unusable due to damage, DDR shipping crates will be provided.

• When the battery/module is ready to be returned, please go to

https://portal.redwoodmaterials.com/bmw and follow the process below:
• As with any hazardous materials shipment, you must have a Certified HazMat Shipper on site to

execute the return along with an Emergency Response Phone Number listed below.

1. Log into the recycling
portal using the login tied to
the account (please reach
out to Redwood Materials if
you are unsure of the login
for your dealership)

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2. Click “Add new item”

3. Fill out requested
information for each battery
• Please note certain fields
are optional depending on
when the battery was
purchased, as well as the
condition of the battery.
• Note: If the part number is
not listed on the dropdown
menu use the replacement
part number (series part) as
the Production part
numbers may be different.
• For Recalled Batteries, or
batteries categorized as
“Yellow” or “Red” on the
completed Recalled Battery
Condition Certification
Form, select “Yes” under
the first DDR question to be
directed to additional
information.

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4. Click “Complete Recycling
Request”

5. Repeat for every battery
that you would like to
recycle

6. Once you’ve added each
battery’s details, select
each one that is ready to
ship and click “Request
Shipment”.
IMPORTANT: Please note
that any Recalled / DDR
(damaged) batteries must be
requested separately. After you
have clicked “Request
Shipment” for a DDR item,
Redwood will reach out
separately once the crate has
shipped. Please allow up to 3
business days for a crate to
ship.

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7. Shipment Details
• Confirm the pickup address,
requested pick-up date,
pick-up time, and contact
info to be listed on the Bill
of Lading.
• Securely strap all non-DDR
batteries to a pallet and
provide the final shipment
details (total weight,
dimensions, and battery
count for each pallet of
batteries).

8. Dealers are encouraged
to consolidate multiple
batteries on as few pallets
as possible as long as the
packaging meets DOT
requirements.
• Click “Add Content” to add
more material to a pallet

© 2024 BMW of North America, LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and should not be shared with third parties for distribution.

• Or click “Add Shipping Unit”
to add an additional pallet
to the shipment.

9. Once complete click
“Request Shipment” in the
bottom righthand corner.

Once requested, you will
receive an email confirming
that Redwood has received
your pickup request.

Within 24 hours, you will receive a second email containing all
necessary pickup information and documents. Documents can also
be accessed through the portal.

© 2024 BMW of North America, LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and should not be shared with third parties for distribution.

After the request has been
scheduled, dealers can
check the status of their
pick-up by clicking on the
“Pickup Scheduled” tab.

Recalled or Damage Li-Batteries.
The procedure below will only apply to Recalled or Damaged batteries. The condition
certification form is not necessary for normal end of life replacements.
High Voltage Battery Recalls require Centers to ship batteries classified as DDR as defined by
Department of Transportation 49 CFR, which require special packaging.
•
•

Redwood Materials is the logistics partner that will facilitate these recalled HV battery returns.
The process for requesting a pickup for Recalled batteries is identical to the steps above, however,
please note additional information is required as part of step 3, which will trigger special packaging to
be shipped by Redwood Materials.

Recalled parts that are removed from BMW vehicles cannot be used for resale! The recalled parts are the
property of BMW NA. Your Center is responsible for the proper identification, storage, and documentation
of these parts. They must be held in a secure retention area until notification of claim payment is made by
BMW NA through DCSnet.
•

•
•
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Review the instructions in the subsequent pages to prepare shipments for high voltage battery
modules removed from vehicles affected by Recalls or damaged units. If you have any questions
regarding the preparation of the shipment, please use the Redwood Materials contact list below.
If your Center has not completed the required supplemental HV Battery recall training, please
reference bulletin C-2-0824-0302 prior to attempting to arrange for recalled HV battery returns.
If battery modules are listed on your scrap report, please continue to follow the details on the
bulletin for the correct process of recycling.
Please do not contact Redwood Materials until you have completed each battery’s condition
assessment.

1. IMPORTANT: Assessment of the HV Cell Module must be performed by a GEN 5 high voltage
battery Certified Technician (“HV certified technician”) as per the instructions below, prior to
contacting REDWOOD MATERIALS (Air Document REH-HIN-P-6125-32 - V.1)

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Introduction:
For analysis or recycling purposes, it is necessary to transport the high-voltage battery unit or
individual cell modules. Due to their structure as a lithium-ion battery, the high-voltage battery unit and
the cell modules are classified as hazardous materials and may only be transported if certain
prerequisites are met. The "HV certified technician" is responsible for the transport condition
assessment and for issuing the relevant certificate. Packaging will be performed by the hazardous
material trained personnel.
The validity of the transport condition in the period between the determination and the handover of the
high-voltage battery unit/cell module to the disposal/transport company is the responsibility of the HV
certified technician in that workshop. If at a later point in time it is presumed that the previously
certified condition of the high- voltage battery unit/cell module no longer exists, the condition must be
assessed again by the HV certified technician using this document.
Within the context of the hazardous materials transportation regulations, the battery recall process is
divided into three parts:
•

Transport assessment.

•
•

Transport preparation.
Performing the transport.

This document and related attachments contain information and measures to assess a used highvoltage battery unit/cell module for transport. Transport preparation and performance of the transport
of the high-voltage battery unit/cell module will be supported by Redwood Materials.
The specific implementation of these measures depends on the individual conditions on site and is not
part of this guideline. When applying these specifications, the authorized BMW dealer must take into
account laws and regulations applicable to their operations.

Prerequisites:
The analysis and assessment of the high-voltage battery unit/cell module must be carried out and
documented by a "HV certified technician " with certification in high-voltage batteries.

Assessment of high voltage cell module
The assessment for transporting the high-voltage battery unit/cell module takes place in two steps:
•

Electrical assessment

•

Visual assessment

© 2024 BMW of North America, LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and should not be shared with third parties for distribution.

The individual results must be documented in writing on this form by a HV certified technician and
confirmed as binding with a signature.

a) Electrical assessment
The electrical assessment of the high voltage cell modules is completed when a vehicle test using ISTA is
performed to verify no critical faults are stored in the cell module being replaced and successfully
completing the requirements for removal as per the recall bulletin. The testing process will lead to an
electrical assessment result in one of the following three categories:

Module category:
GREEN

YELLOW

RED

"Not critical" fault codes
stored according to the
diagnosis procedure as per
recall bulletin.

Electrical fault in the
module. "Not critical"
according to the diagnosis,
procedure as per recall
bulletin.

Module damaged or "critical"
according to the diagnosis or no
assessment possible via the diagnosis,
procedure can’t be completed as per
recall bulletin.

The above cell module electrical assessment categories place different requirements on transport
preparation and performing the transport.

b) Visual Assessment
The table is used for classification into the transport category:

Assessment Category
Smoke
Evidence of Fire
Heat Development
Crack or opening on the housing *
Dents/bulges in the housing, deformations, changes**
Parts/components weakened due to corrosion
Slack, lose or damaged connections
Serial number/Safety Instructions sticker not legible***
Suspected water damage or leakage

Green

X

Yellow

X
X
X
X

Red
X
X
X
X

X
X

* Size of the crack determines the module transport category.
** Dent/bulge up to a depth of 0.5 mm or a length of 5 cm is permitted and rated as green.
*** The serial number must be clearly identifiable. If the nameplate can no longer be read, the housing of
the high-voltage battery unit must be clearly marked with the serial number.
*** The Safety Instructions sticker must be replaced if it is illegible.
The reference sample catalog must be used for any damage that cannot be assigned to this table.

© 2024 BMW of North America, LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and should not be shared with third parties for distribution.

c) Result
The results of the electrical and visual assessment must be recorded and certified in writing by the HV
certified technician! The requirements for the transport preparation and performance are derived from
these results. The following table shows the recommended measures for the transport of hazardous
materials in the United States depending on the assessment result. US DOT hazardous materials
regulations must always be taken into account.
Results of assessment
Result of the "Green"
electrical check and visual
damage of the "Green"
category or no visual
damage present.

Explanation
The cell module does not
show any damage or fault.
It can be considered safe.

Yellow
Transport

Result of the electrical check
"Yellow" or at least one
visual damage of the
"Yellow" category is present

Red
Transport

Result of the electrical check
"Red" or at least one visual
damage of the "Red"
category is present

The cell module shows
damage or faults, but it is
not liable to rapidly
disassemble or react
dangerously when
transported.
The cell module shows
damage or faults, and it is
known or is suspected to
be capable of rapid
disassembly or dangerous
reaction when transported.

Green
Transport

Transportation Measures
Recall batteries – do NOT use
original fiberboard box
packaging, even if green
condition! Recall batteries
require special packaging
provided by a 3rd party vendor
contracted by BMW NA.
Special packaging provided
by a 3rd party vendor
contracted by BMW NA

Submit a TSARA case for
additional instructions and
procedures From BMW NA.

If there is any uncertainty regarding the condition assessment results, contact BMW Technical Support
immediately for additional guidance!
Until the uncertainties are resolved, the removed high-voltage battery unit or the cell module must be
identified with warning sign 6 and cordoned off with high-voltage barrier tape.
If the high-voltage battery unit is still in the vehicle, the vehicle must be identified with warning sign 6 and
cordoned off.

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RECALLED BATTERY CONDITION CERTIFICATION FORM

•
•

This form will be used by Redwood Materials to determine appropriate packaging for
each battery or module and should be acknowledged on the Redwood portal.
Certification of battery condition results is required for each HV battery or module.

IMPORTANT: For documentation purposes, this page must be printed, filled, and archived
by the dealer and confirm completion through Redwood portal.
Battery Part Number

______________________________________

Date of Transport Condition Assessment

______________________________________

Battery/Module Serial Number

______________________________________

Vehicle VIN (last 7 digits)

______________________________________

Result of the
assessment:

Green

Yellow

Red

Electrical
(check one)

Visual Check
(check one)

Overall result of the
assessment for transport
(check one)

I certify that I am qualified to conduct and that I performed the high voltage (HV) battery
transport assessment according to BMW Group standards on the battery or module
identified on this form. I further certify the accuracy and validity of the above assessment
result for purposes of making hazardous materials transportation packaging decisions.
Printed Name

Signature

Date

_____________________________

____________________________

___________________

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distribution.

2. Packaging Request Process
a. Redwood Materials will function as both the battery recycling services provider and the battery
packaging provider for Damaged, Defective and Recalled (DDR) / Yellow and Red Assessment HV
batteries.
b. Contact information is provided below for Redwood Materials. Dealers must coordinate their
requests for battery packaging with Redwood Materials once battery transport assessments are
completed by completing a request in the Redwood portal.
c. Once the DDR crate request has been submitted within the Redwood portal, Redwood Customer
Operations team will reach out via email to confirm next steps and crate shipping information.
d. For DDR batteries, Redwood Materials will select packaging for Yellow and Red Assessment
batteries based on the size needed.
e. Depending on part number, dealers can expect to receive a reusable Wooden Crate for each
battery. Limited inventory is available, and it will be rotated as it becomes available.
f. Dealers will also receive instructions for proper use and closure of each crate supplied.
g. Please contact Redwood Materials directly for questions or issues regarding packaging and
transport of recalled HV batteries.

Redwood Materials Contact Information
Redwood Materials will assist dealers with the successful completion of their return shipments. The
points of contact listed below can assist with scheduling battery pickups, proper packaging techniques or
packaging assembly procedures, and/or answering general questions related to the process of returning
batteries to Redwood Materials.

More Questions?
Redwood Materials:
Email

Phone

[email protected]

775-446-6858

BMW NA Aftersales Business Development:
Name

Phone

Email

Cesar Ortiz

201-571-5143 [email protected]

Chemical & Battery Program Manager

Jimmy Cox

201-307-4324 [email protected]

Chemical, Battery & Oil Sales Manager

Joachim Pusch 201-546-4635 [email protected]

Title

Aftersales Business Development
Manager – Service and Parts

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BMW Emergency Response:
Organization

3E Company

Emergency phone #

1-877-472-1724

Tracking code

9547

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