Battery Council International is a trade organization that brings together the leading lead-acid battery manufacturers in North America and other major players from around the world. Externally, BCI provides information and resources on the industry to numerous outside organizations and researchers.

When working on behalf of its members, BCI provides an extensive database of statistical information that for example tracks domestic shipment figures for replacement and automotive batteries.

In addition, BCI establishes technical standards for battery manufacturing and actively promotes workable environmental, health, and safety standards for the industry as a whole.

As part of this, BCI actively promotes the recycling of spent lead-acid batteries and the use of recycled materials in the production of new batteries. As such the organization collects statistical data to provide the annual recycling rate of lead-acid batteries. BCI also developed model battery recycling legislation at both the state and federal levels in the U.S., as a way to efficiently recover valuable resources and keep recyclable materials out of the waste stream. The model has been adopted by legislatures in 37 states across the country.