The End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations limit the use of certain hazardous materials in car and van manufacturing, and require vehicles and their components to be designed so that they are easier to recycle or dispose of when they reach the end of their life. The regulations aim to increase recycling and reduce the negative impacts of hazardous chemicals from cars on the environment.
They also standardise treatment requirements, require treatment facilities to have a permit and equipment to prevent pollution, and increase the amount of each vehicle that is recycled to reduce the quantity going to landfill.
The End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005 updated the 2003 regulations to require producers to take back end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) free of charge from 1 January 2007.
The Regulations apply to the whole of the UK.
What are the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations?
The regulations require vehicle producers to:
- follow heavy metal limits, restricting the use of lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavelent chromium in vehicle manufacture (exceptions listed in Schedule 1)
- use European coding standards to identify the materials and components that are suitable for reuse, recycling and recovery (details in Schedule 2)
- publish design, dismantling and recycling information, and include it in their promotional literature (Part IV).
Authorised vehicle treatment facilities must:
- issue a certificate of destruction free of charge to the last vehicle owner or holder (Part V)
- hold site licences specified in the regulations and comply with operating standards (Part VII).
Who do the End of Life Vehicles Regulations affect?
The regulations apply to vehicle producers, manufacturers, importers and vehicle treatment plants that manufacture or import (from outside the EU) four-wheel passenger vehicles and goods vehicles with four or more wheels that do not carry loads exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
What do you have to do?
See our guidance on:
How are the Regulations enforced?
The regulations are enforced by the Environment Agency in England and Wales, SEPA in Scotland and the NIEA in Northern Ireland. Your environmental regulator can issue a compliance notice if they believe you have not fulfilled your duties under the regulations. If you do not comply with the notice you can be prosecuted and could face an unlimited fine.
Further information
