EU's New Vehicle Recycling Rules Take Effect, Accelerating Automotive Green Transition

The European Union’s updated End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation has officially come into force, setting a clear path for the automotive industry’s shift toward a circular economy. The regulation introduces stricter material recovery targets, digital tracking requirements, and extended producer responsibility—marking a significant step in the EU’s Green Deal agenda.  

Key Measures at a Glance

The newly adopted rules focus on boosting the use of recycled materials and enhancing transparency across a vehicle’s lifecycle:  
- Recycled Content Targets:New vehicles must contain at least 15% recycled plastics within six years of the regulation’s entry into force, increasing to 25% by 2030. Notably, a quarter of this recycled plastic must originate from end-of-life vehicles themselves.  
- Digital Vehicle Passport: A traceability system will be introduced to monitor materials throughout the design, production, and recycling stages.  
- Broader Scope:The regulation now covers not only passenger cars and light commercial vehicles but also heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles, and special-purpose vehicles, with limited exemptions.  

Closing Loops, Curbing Pollution Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke emphasized that the agreement represents a decisive move toward a circular automotive economy.

The regulation aims to:  
- Retain valuable materials within the EU economy  
- Restrict the export of non-roadworthy used vehicles to third countries  
- Promote eco-design and create a cleaner market for components  
- Address the long-standing issue of “missing vehicles” by improving tracking from production to disposal  

Five Pillars of Change
1. Expanded Coverage – More vehicle categories must now meet collection, depollution, and dismantling requirements.  
2.Mandatory Recycled Content– Beyond plastics, the European Commission will study targets for steel, aluminum, magnesium, and critical raw materials within a year.  
3.Stricter End-of-Life Definition– Vehicles classified as waste must be processed exclusively by authorized facilities, with tighter ownership transfer controls.  
4.Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)– Manufacturers will bear responsibility for the entire vehicle lifecycle, including free take-back and proper treatment at end-of-life.  
5.Tighter Export Controls– Exports of used vehicles unfit for driving will be banned five years after the regulation takes effect, keeping resources within the EU.  

Implementation Timeline
The provisional agreement still requires formal approval by both the European Council and the European Parliament. Once adopted, a two-year transition period will allow industry players to adapt before full enforcement begins.  

Global Implications 
The EU’s approach is set to influence automotive practices worldwide, pushing manufacturers to innovate in eco-design, secure sustainable material supplies, and develop new circular business models. As regulations tighten, companies specializing in recycling technologies and resource recovery are poised to play an increasingly vital role. 

About HUBEI RAYFON EST  Co., Ltd.
With over 12 years of expertise, HUBEI RAYFON specializes in refined solid waste disposal and hazardous waste resource recovery, offering integrated R&D, production, sales, and service solutions. Its high-efficiency recycling lines—for PET bottles, PP food containers, HDPE, and medical infusion bags—serve clients across China and over 20 countries worldwide. The company provides customized, cost-effective equipment and automation solutions, supporting the transition toward a circular economy with technical excellence and innovative waste management systems.