EU Sets New Reuse and Recycle Rules

The European Parliament formally approved new regulations designed to enhance sustainability and circularity in the automotive industry. These rules apply throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle — from design and production to end-of-life treatment — with the goal of minimizing environmental impacts and promoting material reuse and recycling.

Key Provisions of the New EU Automotive Rules

Design for Reuse and Recycling

Manufacturers must design new vehicles to enable easy removal and replacement of parts and components. This facilitates efficient reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, or refurbishing, allowing valuable materials to be recovered and reintroduced into the economy.

Binding Targets for Recycled Materials

• 20% recycled plastic content required in new vehicles within six years of the rules taking effect.
• 25% recycled plastic required within ten years, contingent on availability and reasonable pricing of recycled materials.
• The European Commission will conduct a feasibility study to establish future recycled material targets for steel and aluminium.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Vehicle manufacturers bear responsibility for collecting and properly treating end-of-life vehicles, ensuring responsible recycling and efficient recovery of reusable materials.

Exemptions

The regulations exclude:

• Special-purpose vehicles used by armed forces, civil defence, or emergency services.
• Vehicles of historical or special cultural interest.

Implementation Timeline

The regulations will come into force three years after adoption, allowing manufacturers and stakeholders sufficient time to adapt vehicle designs and upgrade recycling processes to meet the new requirements.

Why This Matters

These EU rules represent a major milestone in advancing sustainability within the automotive sector. By focusing on vehicle design for circularity, enforcing ambitious recycled material targets, and holding manufacturers accountable for vehicle end-of-life management, the EU is accelerating progress toward a more circular economy.

Reference: European Parliament: New EU Rules on Design, Reuse, and Recycling in the Automotive Sector