On 18 June 2026, the European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution approving amendments to the proposed Regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on management of end-of-life vehicles. The adopted text replaces the existing End-of-Life Vehicles Directives with a harmonised regulation covering the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design and production to end-of-life treatment. The amendments introduce mandatory requirements for recyclability, reusability, recycled content, and extended producer responsibility (EPR), while also improving information flows and waste management practices.
The Parliament's amendments expand the scope to include special purpose vehicles, such as motor caravans, 36 months after entry into force. The timeline for the Digital Circularity Vehicle Passport is extended to 72 months, reflecting a cautious approach to implementation. The EPR framework is significantly strengthened: producers are now explicitly responsible for collecting all vehicles they placed on the market, not just those in their home Member State. A new cost allocation mechanism is introduced for vehicles that become waste in a different Member State than where they were sold, ensuring no orphan vehicles are left unmanaged.
The criteria for modulating producer fees paid to Producer Responsibility Organisations are expanded. Fees must now consider the weight of the vehicle (excluding batteries) and the rate of recyclability and reusability, creating a stronger economic incentive for circular design. Treatment facilities face stricter obligations: they must request proof of depollution before accepting vehicles for shredding, and the mandatory removal of parts for reuse, remanufacturing, or recycling prior to shredding is reinforced. A clear hierarchy for assessing removed parts is established: reuse, then remanufacturing, then recycling.
A new article mandates that used, remanufactured, or refurbished parts must carry specific labelling from authorised treatment facilities. Member States are explicitly required to incentivise reuse, remanufacturing, and refurbishment activities. Conditions for shipping end-of-life vehicles to third countries are tightened: exporters must provide documentary evidence that the vehicle is not being shipped for disposal and that the destination facility can treat it in an environmentally sound manner.
The amendments create a significantly more ambitious and enforceable circular economy framework for vehicles. For manufacturers, they face higher upfront costs and design complexity due to stricter recycled content declarations, modulated EPR fees, and the need to provide comprehensive data for the Digital Passport. However, they gain a clearer, harmonised single market rulebook. For waste operators, the amendments create a more structured and profitable market for reuse and remanufacturing, driving investment in advanced sorting and recycling technologies. For Member States, they are required to establish robust registration, monitoring, and enforcement systems for EPR, including cross-border cost allocation, increasing administrative burden but ensuring a level playing field and preventing free-riding. The overall policy effect shifts the regulatory focus from simple waste management to prevention and high-value circularity, reducing the sector's reliance on virgin raw materials and its environmental footprint.
The adopted text now moves to the Council for approval before it can enter into force.