European Council adopts position for recycling end-of-life vehicles

Introducing a mandatory target for recycled plastics in circular economy drive.

The end-of-life vehicle regulation also opens the possibility of setting future targets for recycled steel, aluminium and critical raw materials.

The new legislation amends regulation (EU) 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

It repeals directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles ('ELV directive') and directive 2005/64/EC ('3R type-approval directive').

Vehicles such as heavy-duty trucks and two- or three-wheel bikes and quadricycles have been added to the regulation, alongside cars and vans.

Certain special-purpose vehicles have been added as well, including mobile cranes, fire engines and ambulances.

There are three stages for a minimum percentage of recycled plastic content.

• 15% by six years after the entry into force of the regulation
• 20% by eight years after the entry into force of the regulation
• 25% by 10 years after the entry into force of the regulation

There is room for the Commission to lay down temporary derogations from these targets if there is a shortage of recycled plastics or prices are excessive.

It could also set a minimum share of different recycled materials other than plastics, after conducting a feasibility study.

The Council position clarifies where vehicles should be delivered at the end of their life and how they should be treated. Mixed shredding with other waste will be banned unless certain quality criteria and limit values are met by output fractions.

The next step is to start negotiations with the European Parliament.