End of Life Vehicles
The ELV Directive (2000/53/EC) aims to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles (cars and vans – up to 3.5 tonnes) when finally scrapped by introducing higher environmental standards for the treatment and dismantling of vehicles when they are scrapped.
Objectives
The principal objectives of the Directive are an increase in the recycling of ELV’s and their components, and the improved environmental performance of all the economic operators involved in the life cycle of vehicles.
As such the ELV Directive aims at:
- preventing the use of certain heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium
- collection of vehicles at suitable authorised treatment facilities
- de-pollution of fluids and specific components
- coding and/or information on parts and components
- ensuring information for consumers and treatment organisations
- achieving reuse, recycling and recovery performance targets
The ELV Directive was transposed by UK-wide legislation in 2003.
Legislation
The End of Life Vehicles Regulations 2003 requires producers of vehicles to set up collection, treatment and disposal systems to make sure that components in vehicles can be recovered, reused and recycled at the end of their life. Introduces restrictions on the use of certain heavy metals in vehicle manufacture and introduces a Certificate of Destruction.
Regulation 26 and Schedule 5 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 provide that all activities that constitute treatment of ELV’s are licensed to meet the treatment standards of the ELV Directive – dismantlers and scrapyards need to apply for a waste management license through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
The End of Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005 requires producers to register responsibility for vehicles placed on the market and apply for approval of their vehicle collection system. Introduces reuse, recovery and recycling targets for ELVs treated at authorised treatment facilities.
The End of life Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations 2010 amends 2003/2635 by changing the basis on which exemptions from the restrictions on the use of heavy metals in vehicle components are identified. Also provides powers of entry and inspection for the enforcement authorities.
The End of Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 amends 2005/263 by making changes to requirements for reporting details of reuse, recycling and recovery rates.
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