On 13 August 2026, the new European Regulation on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) came into force, updating the rules on the design, manufacture, collection and treatment of vehicles at the end of their life cycle.
The new provisions aim to enhance circularity in the automotive sector by promoting designs that facilitate the dismantling, reuse, recycling and recovery of components and materials. The Regulation introduces stricter requirements regarding the traceability and collection of end-of-life vehicles. It also strengthens the principle of extended producer responsibility by requiring manufacturers to contribute to the costs of collecting and treating end-of-life vehicles. Furthermore, it sets out measures to increase the recovery of critical raw materials, including aluminium, copper and rare earth elements.
Key new provisions include binding targets for the use of recycled plastic in new vehicles, set at 15 per cent from 2032 and 25 per cent from 2036. The Commission will also set specific targets for the use of recycled steel and aluminium from 2033 onwards.
Finally, from mid-2031, only roadworthy vehicles will be allowed to be exported outside the EU, with the aim of combating the export of end-of-life vehicles as second-hand vehicles.
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