It is asking for feedback on Directive 2000/53/EC which manages the impact ELVs can have upon the environment and seeks to improve the environmental performance of all the economic operators involved in the life cycle of vehicles.
Millions of vehicles in Europe reach the end of their life every year, the Commission notes. If not managed properly it says ELVs can be a threat to the environment and a lost source of millions of tonnes of materials.
The EU Circular Economy package – which was finalised in May 2018 – outlined that the ELV directive must be reviewed and any revisions submitted to the EU Commission by December 2020.
It is looking to give attention to the implementation of changes and the feasibility of setting targets for reporting per specific materials, as well as the problem of the end-of-life vehicles of unknown whereabouts.
Targets
One of the key components of the directive is the target for the recycling of vehicles at the end of life. Latest data showed that the UK failed to meet the 95% ELV recovery rate in 2016, after recycling rates dipped compared to the previous year (see letsrecycle.com story).
Speaking to letsecycle.com last year, senior European Commission official Artemis Hatzi-Hull said that the review will particularly be considering how to classify the increasing number of electrical products in cars, which could be covered by either the ELV or WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) directives (see letsrecycle.com story).
Opinions are being sought from a wide audience, including producers, distributors, shredders and recyclers, along with views from consumers and environmental protection organisations. Environmental NGOs will be asked for contributions on waste management, pollution and circular economy elements of the legislation.
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