SMMT News

Motor industry welcomes latest End of Life Vehicles consultation

04 February 2004 #SMMT News

SMMT has welcomed today’s consultation on the End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive, published by the Department of Trade and Industry. The latest government consultation, which proposes an own marque approach to ELVs, is favoured by vehicle manufacturers as this offers the most practical and cost-efficient framework in which free take-back can take place post-2007.

Own marque approach

Under the own marque approach vehicle manufacturers will be responsible for contracting with a network of authorised treatment facilities to receive and treat their end of life vehicles. This will be accommodated within the existing waste and recycling infrastructure, giving that sector the opportunity to continue to thrive into the future.

While the industry is broadly pleased that government will take the own marque approach, SMMT will be lobbying to ensure that the cost burden on manufacturers is kept to a minimum. In particular:

  • The scheme and any costs should be based only on the number of vehicles arising at those networks
  • The cost of vehicles treated outside the official networks established by vehicle manufacturers should be borne by the operator collecting them
  • Operators acting outside the official network must be responsible for meeting obligations imposed by the Directive
  • Independent importers should take responsibility for the vehicles they put into the UK market
  • Free take back must only apply to vehicles that are complete and free of other waste materials

Network Density

Vehicle manufacturers will develop appropriate networks of take-back facilities based on customer convenience, economic efficiency and the numbers of ELVs arising in a particular area. However, the needs of smaller or niche manufactures will be different to the requirements of volume makers. SMMT will therefore urge government to re-think its proposal to impose a maximum journey distance of 10 miles to treatment facilities and ensure that there is enough flexibility in the regulation to accommodate the varying needs of smaller producers.

Recycling Targets

While vehicle manufacturers have continually improved the recyclability of their products, the motor industry believes that responsibility for reporting on the levels of recycled materials should rest with Authorised Treatment Facilities. This would ensure a level playing field between contracted and un-contracted facilities and reduce the level of administrative complexity. It would also ensure that the burden on UK manufacturers is no greater than that imposed in other EU member states.


Commenting on the latest consultation SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘We are encouraged that the government has chosen to consult on proposals based on the industry’s favoured own marque approach. As well as minimising the cost burden on industry, this approach represents the most effective method of implementing what is difficult and complex legislation. We look forward to ensuring that a light regulatory touch is reflected in the final draft with no greater costs imposed on UK manufacturers than those operating in mainland Europe.’

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