From 2026! The European Union changes the rules for the end-of-life, design and sale of cars

By the end of 2025, the European Union must approve the new legislation on end-of-life vehicles (ELV), which will radically change the rules for the design, sale and end-of-life of cars. The European Commission's proposal is from 2023, and aims to update the current Directive 2000/53/EC, as it no longer meets current environmental and technological challenges.

The aim is twofold - to strengthen the circular economy in the automotive sector and to reduce the uncontrolled distribution of used vehicles leaving the official treatment chains. The Commission estimates that around 6.6 million vehicles leave the European car fleet every year, with 3.5 million disappearing without a trace. And there is no way of knowing whether they are recycled safely or continue to be used in dangerous conditions.

One of the most important points of the proposal is the introduction of a mandatory recyclability certificate for all new vehicles placed on the European market. Each model will have to demonstrate before sale that it is designed in a way that allows for efficient disassembly, separation of materials and recovery of reusable or hazardous components. In other words, a car can only be sold in the EU if it has been proven to be recyclable.

The manufacturer will be required to provide detailed information on the materials used, the possible presence of hazardous substances (such as lead, cadmium, mercury or hexavalent chromium) and the methods envisaged for disposal at the end of its life. This approach aims to encourage the creation of more sustainable and modular construction, taking into account the full life cycle of the vehicle from the design phase, explains Automedia.bg.

The innovative essence of the proposal is contained in Article 25, which establishes the so-called "digital vehicle passport" — an electronic tracking system for each vehicle. This tool will be powered by a centralised European database and will contain up-to-date information on:

- Materials and components used

- Maintenance and repair work

- Changes in ownership

- Any structural damage

- Time and method of disposal

The system will be accessible to national authorities, authorised repairers, but also to consumers and buyers, which will significantly improve transparency in the second-hand market and deter illegal practices. In addition, the digital passport will facilitate the timely identification of end-of-life vehicles, ensuring their correct disposal.

Another pillar of the new regulation is the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR), which has already been adopted in other sectors. Car manufacturers will no longer be responsible only for the production and sale of a car, but also for its end-of-life. This will entail an obligation to finance collection, treatment and recycling operations, as well as to actively cooperate with dismantling centres to improve the environmental performance of the sector.

In addition, it introduces an obligation for manufacturers to provide standardised technical instructions for the correct dismantling of vehicles, including guidelines for the safe disposal of batteries, fluids, airbags and electronic components.

The Commission estimates that the implementation of the new legislation will lead to an annual reduction of 12.3 million tonnes of CO₂, an increase in the recycling rate of plastics from 25% to 60% and the creation of new employment opportunities in the recovery chain. The road to this will not be without obstacles, however.

However, industry associations, particularly those representing manufacturers and distributors, are concerned about the compliance costs and bureaucratic complexity associated with the new certification and management of digital passports. At the same time, recycling companies are calling for more clarity on how economic and operational responsibilities will be allocated.