Main Update: What’s New? Why Relevant? When Does it Apply?
Following the political agreement on 12 December 2025, the detailed compromise text of the ELV Regulation has now been released. This document provides the first concrete legal framework for future circularity requirements for vehicles.
👉 Read the full compromise text here.
The text confirms key elements and introduces further clarifications:
- Recycled plastic targets:
- 15% after 6 years
- 25% after 10 years
- Closed-loop requirement:
- At least 20% from ELV recycling
- At least 20% from ELV recycling
- Definition of recycled content:
- Only post-consumer plastics are eligible
- Only post-consumer plastics are eligible
- Recognition of chemical recycling:
- Mass balance approaches included
- Mass balance approaches included
It also clarifies that requirements apply only to newly type-approved vehicles, ensuring a gradual implementation. At the same time, industry sources indicate that formal adoption of the regulation is expected by mid-2026, followed by a two-year transition period.
👉 For a detailed breakdown of requirements and differences to the current directive, see our in-depth article to the new ELV Regulation.
Impact for companies: How does it affect manufacturers and suppliers?
With the publication of the compromise text, companies gain greater planning certainty:
- OEMs must adapt material strategies: Strong focus on post-consumer recyclates
- Design for circularity becomes mandatory: Dismantling, recyclability and transparency are key
- Supply chains under pressure: Availability of high-quality recyclates becomes critical
- Early action required: Vehicle platforms launching in the late 2020s are affected
At the same time, several technical details remain open and will be specified in secondary legislation.
