EGARA goes for co-chairing the Commission working-group or review of the re-use and recycling/recovery targets

As you probably all know, Directive 2000/53/EC on end of life vehicles (“ELV Directive”) establishes quantified targets for the reuse and recycling and recovery of end of life vehicles.

As from 1 January 2006, ) a minimum of 85% of reuse and recovery by average vehicle weight and (ii) a minimum of 80% of reuse and recycling by average vehicle weight. As from 1 January 2015, it is envisaged to increase these minimum targets to 95%, respectively 85%.

However, the Commission will re-examine these 2015-targets, taking into account, amongst others, of the development of the material composition of vehicles.

To this end, the Commission has invited interested parties to participate in this re-examination of the 2015-targets in a Stakeholder Working Group in the first quarter of 2005. The Stakeholder Working Group should develop technical guidance on the review of the 2015-targets. In particular, the task of the Stakeholder Working Group is to look at the feasibility of increasing the targets from an environmental and economic point of view, also taking into account the development of the material composition of vehicles.

EGARA has of course expressed its interest in participating in this. Being the European umbrella association of national associations of car-dismantlers in Europe, we represent the professional and environment conscious dismantlers in Europe, being the first “link” in the recycling chain for elvs and doing the necessary de-pollution and dismantling of materials for recycling/recovering of elvs, and should of course be a member of the group.

Only we posses first hand and practical knowledge concerning elv-handling, in particular with respect to re-use and recycling/recovery, and as such EGARA can assure that any strategies developed by the working-group can be implemented in practice, and, if necessary and pertinent, also be implemented in environment managements systems developed by the national associations.

But not only do we want to be in the group! We have also expressed that we want to co-chair it! We believe that  a representative of the car-producers is “the natural choice” for the chairing of the group, but we also believe, that with a view to the practical application and implementation of strategies, we – being the first link in the elv-handling process, are very well qualified for the co-chair.

By 7. March 2005 the Commission will inform us – and the rest of the world – who will be membes of the group, as well as who will chair and co-chair it.