The ELVR is taking shape: Agreement reached on Regulation Text in Trilogue
The Regulation on Circularity Requirements for Vehicle Design and on Management of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVR), which is currently going through the legislative process, aims to promote circular business models in the field of vehicle manufacturing across the EU. The Parliament, Council, and Commission have now reached a provisional agreement on the text of the legislation.
What is the regulatory context of the ELVR?
European regulations on end-of-life vehicles are currently set out in Directive 2000/53/EC of September 18, 2000 (ELV Directive). In addition to the ELV Directive, Directive 2005/64/EC on the type approval of motor vehicles with regard to their reusability, recyclability, and recoverability (known as the 3R Type Approval Directive) also exists at EU level. The new ELVR is intended to replace the ELV Directive and the 3R Type Approval Directive and to link issues of construction and design with the treatment of vehicles at the end of their life.
What are the key regulatory issues covered by the ELVR?
The ELVR will significantly reshape the regulatory landscape for vehicles in Europe. Following the example of the European Battery Regulation and in line with the concept of the circular economy, the ELVR establishes regulations for the entire life cycle of vehicles.
In terms of vehicle classes, the ELVR is intended to have a broader scope of application than the current legal situation. Among other things, the ELVR will contain material restrictions and specify requirements for reusability, recyclability, and recoverability. Regulations for determining waste characteristics are also planned. In addition, recyclate requirements and, closely linked to these, regulations on the introduction of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) regime are central to the ELVR.
What is the status of the legislative process?
The Commission's first draft of the ELVR has been available since 2023. In 2025, the two co-legislators, the European Parliament and the Council, established their respective positions. Trilogue negotiations began in the fall of 2025.
The Commission, European Parliament, and Council have now reached a provisional agreement on the text of the legislation. A current draft text can be found here. Once the text has been technically finalized, the Parliament and Council must still formally adopt the regulation. The draft is to be submitted to the Parliament for a vote in April.
