On 29 June 2026, the Council of the European Union formally adopted a new Regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and management of end-of-life vehicles. The legislative act, approved at the 4188th meeting of the Council (Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs) in Luxembourg, amends several existing regulations and repeals two directives, marking a significant overhaul of EU rules on vehicle circularity.
The regulation updates Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2019/1020 and (EU) 2023/1542, and repeals Directives 2000/53/EC and 2005/64/EC. The text was endorsed by Coreper, Part 1, on 24 June 2026. The new rules aim to improve the design of vehicles for easier recycling and to ensure better management of end-of-life vehicles, reducing waste and promoting the reuse of materials.
The adoption follows a legislative process that began with the European Commission's proposal. The European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement earlier in 2026, leading to the final adoption. The regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The regulation imposes new design and recycling requirements on vehicle manufacturers, potentially increasing compliance costs but also creating opportunities for innovation in circular design. National authorities will need to adapt their waste management systems to meet new targets for recycling and recovery of end-of-life vehicles. Consumers may benefit from longer-lasting vehicles and reduced environmental impact, while the recycling industry could see increased demand for advanced recycling technologies. The regulation also harmonizes rules across EU member states, reducing fragmentation for businesses operating in multiple countries.
The European Commission will be responsible for implementing the regulation, including adopting delegated acts to specify technical requirements. Member states must transpose the regulation into national law and report on its implementation. The European Parliament and Council will monitor the regulation's impact and may propose amendments in the future.