The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is today reaffirming its commitment to the End of Life Vehicles Directive following criticism of the government’s ‘own marque’ approach to vehicle recycling by the Environment Select Committee.
The Select Committee report claimed use of the ‘own marque scheme’ will do nothing to prevent the problem of car dumping in the run up to 2007.
‘We must be clear about the difference between the problem of abandoned vehicles in the short term and the obligations placed on motor manufacturers by the Directive come 2007’, said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan. ‘UK manufacturers fully accept their responsibility to produce recyclable cars, to pay for their disposal and to ensure treatment facilities are easily accessible to consumers. But until 2007 nothing has changed: it remains the last owner’s responsibility to dispose of their car responsibly, as they would do with any other consumer product.
On the issue of abandoned cars Macgowan added, ‘The accuracy of DVLA data is key to pursuing those irresponsible owners who fail to act properly. Only when the authorities can target this anti-social behaviour, will the problem start to abate’