Decisive action on the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation is called for by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), by the Environment Council of the European Union, in order for the regulation to be effective.
In particular, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) recognises the ambitious proposal for a regulation on end-of-life vehicles. We call on the Council to develop a phased approach to the recycled plastic content targets, to consider the challenges of the limited availability of closed-loop secondary raw materials, the need for mandatory dismantling measures and to consider the specificities of heavy-duty vehicles.
Ahead of the EU Environment Council discussions on Tuesday 17 December, ACEA Director General Sigrid de Vries believes that "for the regulation to be effective, it must set clear, achievable targets that promote innovation and competitiveness, avoiding rigid frameworks that cause inefficiencies or high compliance costs."
The proposals
ACEA wishes to highlight several key considerations for the automotive sector for the EU Environment Council:
- A phased approach is recommended to implement achievable and ambitious recycled plastic content targets, with an initial target of 15% recycled content within 72 months and a second target of 20% five years later.
- In addition, ACEA calls for the urgent publication of a clear calculation methodology and consideration of all sustainable materials to meet the targets, including pre-consumer recycled materials, chemically recycled materials and bio-based options.
- The availability of safe, high quality closed-cycle secondary raw materials for vehicles is limited due to current recycling technologies, the long life span of vehicles and old substances no longer allowed in newer models. Therefore, separate closed-loop targets are unnecessary.
- Regarding the proposed mandatory dismantling measures, ACEA, together with other stakeholders in the automotive ecosystem, supports a practical approach to ensure alignment with market demand and environmental benefits.
- It is also crucial to recognise the distinct nature of heavy duty vehicles (HDVs), such as trucks and buses, compared to cars. Policy makers need to carefully assess these differences and develop tailored requirements that take into account the specificities of each vehicle category.
