The European Parliament has moved forward with legislation aimed at tightening circularity and recycling rules for end-of-life vehicles. The proposal includes binding targets for the reuse of materials such as plastics. The lead MEP on the file, Jens Gieseke (EPP/GE), welcomed the outcome on Tuesday, explaining to EU Perspectives how the legislation — now set to be discussed by the Council — would move industry towards more sustainable vehicle design and material use.
How the new bill will help
The bill on Tuesday was approved with 431 votes in favour, 145 against and 76 abstaining – a positive result no doubt, if expected. The MEP and main rapporteur welcomed the decision and answered some of our questions regarding how the bill was thought out and how it would help.
Is the 20 per cent recycled plastic target realistic given current supply and cost challenges?
Yes. The proposal gives industry flexibility by broadening the definition of plastics and by including pre-consumer waste. The target will only apply six years after the adoption of the regulation, giving manufacturers sufficient time to adapt, scale up recycling capacities and, in turn, bring down the cost of recycled materials.
How will the bill ensure design-for-recycling rules are mandatory and enforced, especially for smaller manufacturers?
The targets apply to all manufacturers: vehicles can only be placed on the EU market if they comply with the regulation. In practice, it is very rare to find SMEs among mainstream car manufacturers, as the sector is dominated by large OEMs. At the same time, we have ensured special protection for SMEs by excluding bodywork and special purpose vehicles, like motor caravans, trailers and ambulances, from the scope. This strikes a balance between ensuring compliance across the industry and avoiding disproportionate burdens on smaller operators.
Recycling hazardous materials
How does the proposal address recyclers’ challenges with hazardous materials and complex parts—like batteries?
The ELV proposal strengthens protection against hazardous substances in vehicles by requiring their presence to be minimised across the entire life cycle. The Commission, supported by the European Chemicals Agency, will review substances of concern that harm health, the environment or recycling quality, and may establish a vehicle-specific list with follow-up measures.
Over time, new vehicle types will no longer be allowed to contain lead, mercury, cadmium or hexavalent chromium, except under strictly defined exemptions where no alternatives exist and socio-economic benefits outweigh the risks. These exemptions will be regularly reassessed in light of technical and scientific progress. The system ensures that hazardous parts are clearly identified and removed before further treatment, paving the way for safer recycling and high-quality secondary raw materials.
The regulation is designed to strengthen Europe’s resource independence and boost the circular economy with binding targets for recycled plastics. – Jens Gieseke, rapporteur and MEP
Regarding the recycling of batteries, the ELV proposal requires that traction batteries and electric drive motors can be removed and replaced without damage, enabling repair, reuse and proper treatment at end-of-life. While detailed recycling targets and obligations are set out in the EU Batteries Regulation, the ELV proposal ensures safe removability and alignment with that framework, creating a coherent system that supports both high-quality recycling and the circular economy.
A perfect fit
Does this law align vehicle circularity sufficiently with the wider Circular Economy and Green Deal goals?
Absolutely. The regulation is designed to strengthen Europe’s resource independence, establish clear environmental obligations for the treatment of end-of-life vehicles and boost the circular economy with binding targets for recycled plastics. Following an impact assessment, additional targets for key materials such as steel and aluminium may also be introduced, ensuring full alignment with the EU’s Circular Economy and Green Deal objectives.
Is there any part of the proposal you feared might not pass?
Actually, the vote showed that the compromise was adopted by a broad majority, from the centre of the European Parliament, in particular from the S&D, Renew and ECR groups. We have worked hard to build a balanced compromise that carefully takes into account the interests of all economic operators along the supply chain.
