Brussels: The European Commission has announced a new regulation requiring car manufacturers across Europe to significantly increase the use of recycled plastics in vehicle production. This move follows a provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council regarding the regulation of end-of-life vehicles.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the agreement mandates that a minimum of 25 percent of the plastics used in cars, trucks, and motorcycles must be derived from recycled materials. Manufacturers have been given a ten-year timeline to achieve full compliance, with an interim target of 15 percent within six years.
The Commission highlighted the automotive sector's substantial consumption of raw materials like steel, aluminium, copper, and plastics. The new measures aim to enhance the collection, dismantling, and treatment of vehicles, helping to recover valuable resources and retain them within the EU. This initiative is expected to facilitate the recycling and reuse of significant quantities of rare earth materials, along with millions of tonnes of steel, aluminium, and copper, thereby boosting the sustainability and competitiveness of the European automotive industry.
Key measures in the regulation include the requirement for manufacturers to design vehicles that are easily dismantled, alongside providing clear guidelines for part replacement during a vehicle's lifespan. The regulation also sets the EU's first binding targets for recycled plastic content, ensuring that at least 25 percent of plastics used in vehicles come from recycled sources by 2036, with 20 percent of that derived from end-of-life vehicles. This aims to ensure fair treatment between EU-produced and imported vehicles.
Additionally, the regulation introduces improved standards for end-of-life vehicle treatment to enhance material recovery quality and quantity. It mandates that at least 30 percent of plastics from these vehicles be recycled, supporting reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing efforts. Such measures are anticipated to increase the availability of second-hand spare parts and reduce repair costs for consumers.
The regulation will come into effect following its formal adoption by the European Parliament and the Council, and its subsequent publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.