As of today, Thursday, the European Commission is putting into force new regulations for the design, production, collection and treatment of end-of-life vehicles.
The aim is to strengthen recycling, recover valuable raw materials and reduce Europe's dependence on imports of raw materials or even complete cars.
According to an information note from the European Commission, every year, around 10 to 12 million vehicles in Europe reach the end of their life cycle and are treated as waste. However, these vehicles are an important source of valuable materials, such as steel, aluminium, copper and plastics. That is why, with the new regulations, the European Commission seeks to increase the recovery, reuse and recycling of these materials, while reducing the environmental impact of inadequate vehicle management.
Responsibility to manufacturers
Particular emphasis is also placed on the responsibility of producers. Manufacturers should ensure adequate funding for the management of end-of-life vehicles, which, according to the Commission, should contribute to higher quality recycling.
The new regulation provides for even stricter rules for exports of used vehicles outside the EU. Only vehicles that are fit for circulation will be able to be exported, thus reducing the risk of transporting waste to third countries.
Executive Vice-President for Wellbeing and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, underlined the industrial dimension of the new framework.
"The End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation is not just about waste, it's about Europe's resilience and industrial future." As he noted, the new rules will help reduce dependencies on external suppliers, strengthen Europe's economic security and preserve strategic resources within the EU.
For her part, Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, described the regulation as a "new European standard" for the design, production and recovery of vehicles.
"It's about more than recycling," he said, pointing out that the goal is to secure critical materials and transition the European car industry to a truly circular model.
With the new framework, the EU is trying to transform the end-of-life vehicle from an environmental burden to a source of raw materials, while strengthening European industry and the resilience of its economy.
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The aim of the Regulation is to enhance circularity in the automotive industry and to recover valuable raw materials more efficiently, such as steel, aluminium, copper and plastics.
Every year, 10 to 12 million vehicles end up as waste in Europe. According to the European Commission, their poor management causes environmental problems and leads to the economic loss of millions of tons of materials.
Mandatory use of recycled plastic
The Regulation establishes the first binding targets at EU level for the use of recycled plastic in vehicle manufacturing.
Recycled plastic should correspond to 15% of plastic content by 2032 to 25% from 2036
Corresponding targets for the use of recycled steel and aluminium are expected to be set by the European Commission and implemented from 2033.
Easier dismantling of vehicles
Automakers will be required to provide clear instructions for the removal and replacement of parts to facilitate their disassembly, reuse and recycling.
At the same time, the responsibility of manufacturers to finance the collection and treatment of end-of-life vehicles is strengthened.
Restrictions on exports outside the EU
From mid-2031, only vehicles in circulation will be allowed to be exported to countries outside the European Union.
The measure aims to curb the practice whereby useless vehicles are exported to third countries and declared as second-hand.
