The End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005

Overview

The End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005 from the Directive 2000/53/EC (also known as the ELV Directive) relating to producer responsibility for establishing collection systems to take back end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) from 2007, and the arrangements for meeting re-use, recycling and recovery targets from 2006. 

The objective of the Regulation is to protect the environment and human health by reducing the volume and hazards of waste from vehicles and end-of life vehicles, specifically passenger cars and light goods vehicles. The aim is to contribute to sustainable development and greater resource productivity by promoting the re-use, recovery and recyclability of vehicles and ELVs.

Specifically, the Regulation deals with:

• producers and their obligations in respect of vehicles placed on the market in the UK when they arise as ELVs in the UK; 
• the network of takeback and collection facilities to be made available, by producers, to last holders/owners of ELVs in the UK; and 
• the achievement of reuse and recovery targets. 

In addition, the Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has been appointed by Defra to enforce the regulations in the UK in relation to:

• restrictions on heavy metals;
• marking requirements for rubber and plastic parts; and 
• publication of design and dismantling information.