The European automotive sector has reached a milestone with the official publication of the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR) in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Entering into force on 13 August 2026, the Regulation replaces older framework directives with the ambition to drive whole-lifecycle circularity across vehicle design, production, and end-of-life treatment. For manufacturers of moulded polyurethane (PU) parts, this legislative framework introduces critical timelines and binding obligations as it will reshape important elements in the automotive supply chain over the coming decade.
1. Targets for incorporating post-consumer recycled plastic
Central to the new Regulation are progressive targets for incorporating post-consumer recycled plastic (coming from post-consumer plastic waste) into new vehicle types ( and categories) — setting a minimum requirement of:
- 15% by weight for vehicles type-approved from 1 September 2032,
- rising to 25% by 1 September 2036.
For our industry, Article 6 explicitly includes polyurethane foams used for cushioning within these plastic calculations, while excluding most other thermosets and tyre elastomers. This specific inclusion means that moulded PU automotive seating and interior cushioning (the exact applications are to be determined) will directly contribute to OEMs’ mandatory recycled content targets.
Furthermore, at least 20% of these targets must be achieved using plastics recovered specifically from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) or parts removed during a vehicle’s use phase. Chemical recycling with mass balance accounting are recognized in principle.
2. Key Circularity & Design Obligations
Type-approved vehicles from 1 September 2032 must be constructed to be 85% reusable/recyclable and 95% reusable/recoverable. Vehicle manufacturers must draw up a Circularity Strategy by 1 September 2029 and update it every 5 years, outlining steps made for sustainability improvements.
Beyond vehicle design, the ELVR establishes stringent operational requirements across the waste management ecosystem. By 1 January 2032, waste treatment operators must achieve a yearly target of recycling at least 30% of the total weight of plastics contained in ELVs. To support this and to cover the costs of ELV collection and treatment, vehicle manufacturers must implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes by September 2029, featuring eco-modulated fees based on a vehicle’s recyclability, ease of dismantling, and share of recycled content.
Additionally, from 1 September 2032, every new vehicle placed on the market will feature a Digital Circularity Vehicle Passport, mandating standardized digital tracking of recycled content declarations, components, and disassembly information.
What’s Next?
While the primary text is finalized, several secondary provisions remain to be adopted in the coming years.
The European Commission will establish key rules, including the calculation and verification methodology for recycled plastics by 31 August 2028, and the specifications for the Digital Vehicle Passport by August 2030. Simultaneously, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will assist in evaluating Substances of Concern (SoC) to safeguard high-quality recycling processes.
EURO-MOULDERS will remain actively engaged in tracking these follow-up actions to support our members in navigating compliance, advancing circular PU technologies, and strengthening our industry’s role in sustainable automotive manufacturing.
For more information:
- Please contact Theodoros Mardas (t.mardas@europur.org)
- Download the final text of the ELVR