Agency confirms January deadline to avoid ELV crisis

The decision, confirmed today December 1, will avoid any potential crisis which could arise because of a shortage of dismantlers approved to depollute vehicles before they are shredded.

Agreement that shredder residue is not hazardous is the key reason for the delay, said the Agency. It is awaiting a series of laboratory results for tests which are being organised by the metals recycling sector.
”the results of the
sampling method are not all available yet “
– Environment Agency

A spokeswoman said: “The reason for the additional extension is that the results of the
sampling method are not all available yet. To make sure we achieved
reliable results, we had samples from the same batches of residues given
to independent consultants, the industry and ourselves for testing using
the same method, and it has taken longer than anticipated to get all the
results back in. Also, some of the results of laboratory tests may not yet have been completed.”

If the Agency had not extended the deadline local authorities would again have faced the prospect of a build-up of end-of-life vehicles in their areas because only dismantlers or shredder operators approved to depollute vehicles could have taken in the cars.

Shortage

The Agency had already extended its original delay in implementing the legislation from November 1 2004 to November 30 2004 but faced with a shortage of approved sites the second delay has been seen as inevitable.

Back in July this year the Agency issued a protocol – which now remains in place until January 31 – in which it said it would view vehicle shredder waste as non-hazardous until November 1, 2004, if the end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) concerned have had the following components removed:

• Lead acid batteries
• Components identified as containing mercury (eg switches)
• Engine oils and oil filters
• Fuels

After that date, the Agency said it would view vehicle shredder residue as non-hazardous only if the ELVs have been depolluted “in accordance with the DTI/Defra depollution guidance”. The agreed criteria is to be demonstrated by recyclers in a waste transfer note when passing the residue to landfill operators.

Another factor which has had a bearing on the further delay, is that the Agency and DVLA are taking several months to issue approvals for authorised sites and so far only about 391 out 1,550 sites have been approved.