The European Commission recently fined car manufacturers and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) nearly €500m for infringing competition rules. The fines were issued for illegal collusion, including anti-competitive agreements among manufacturers that they would not to pay recyclers for the processing of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). According to the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) and the European Waste Management Association (FEAD), the Commission’s decision highlights the urgent need for change within the sector.
"To protect recyclers' efforts, boost circularity and guarantee the use of recycled materials, the EU must act decisively," the organisations wrote in a joint statement published in early April. In their opinion, the EU End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR), which is currently being discussed by European Parliament committees and the Council of the EU, presents an opportunity "to set the rules for fairness, transparency, and long-term circularity in the automotive sector".
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU are still developing their respective positions on the legislative proposal, which was presented by the EU Commission in summer 2023. The environment ministers of the member states held an orientation debate at their Council meeting last December in which they explored policy directions. Since then, further preparatory work has been undertaken by the Council's Working Party on the Environment (WPE).
In the EU Parliament, the Environment Committee (ENVI) and the Internal Market Committee (IMCO) are working together on the proposed Regulation. The rapporteurs from both committees, MEPs Jens Gieseke and Paulius Saudargas, presented their amendments in February. Committee members were subsequently able to submit further amendments, which were debated on 19 March.
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