The call came in the latest consultation on new ELV regulations establishing vehicle producer responsibility in the UK.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said that the proposal for manufacturers to establish networks of Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) minimising the last owner travel time to such an extent would not be conducive to the smaller manufacturers.
The SMMT explained: “The needs of smaller or niche manufacturers will be different to the requirements of volume makers. SMMT will therefore urge the government to rethink its proposal to impose a maximum journey distance of 10 miles to treatment facilities and ensure that there is enough flexibility in the regulation to accommodate the varying needs of smaller producers.”
Own Marque
Broadly, the motor manufacturers have been pleased with the government's proposals for the new ELV regulations, particularly in the 'own marque' approach to carrying out producer responsibility. The approach sees the manufacturers responsible for setting up networks of contracted Authorised Treatment Facilities to receive and treat ELVs they originally place on the market.
These networks will see existing dismantlers given contracts by manufacturers covering the costs of treatment and free take back of all vehicles from last owners from 2007.
Commenting on the consultation, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: “We are encouraged that the government has chosen to consult on proposals based on the industry's favoured own marque approach. As well as minimising the cost burden on industry, this approach represents the most effective method of implementing what is difficult and complex legislation.”
Uncontracted ATFs
ATFs without contracts with the manufacturers should also be able to process ELVs when the new regulations come into force, but the manufacturers want to make sure that all costs of ELVs treated by uncontracted dismantlers are met by those dismantlers.
Manufacturers are similarly pushing for uncontracted ATFs to be forced to meet all Directive standards and recycling targets for the vehicles they process.
Responsibility for reporting on the levels of materials recycled from ELVs should rest with the ATFs, the SMMT said, which would ensure a level playing field between contracted and uncontracted ATFs and reduce the level of administrative complexity. It would also mean the burden on UK manufacturers would be no greater than that imposed in other European countries, the SMMT argued.
Mr Macgowan said: “We look forward to ensuring that a light regulatory touch is reflected in the final draft with no greater costs imposed on UK manufacturers than those operating in mainland Europe.”
For more information on proposed new end-of-life vehicle regulations, see the letsrecycle.com vehicles recycling section.
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