ECHA begins preparations for new EU vehicle recycling regulations

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has begun preparations for activities related to the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (EU) 2026/1738, which entered into force on August 13, 2026. This regulation establishes requirements for vehicle design and the management of end-of-life vehicles to facilitate reuse, recycling, and resource recovery while protecting human health and the environment.

ECHA will assist the European Community in identifying concerning substances and assessing their impact on the recycling and recovery of vehicle components. While the new regulation replaces previous directives, it will not be fully applicable until September 1, 2028.

This regulatory shift occurs within a broader, highly demanding EU chemical framework, including REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging). These regulations require businesses that manufacture, import, or use specialty chemicals—such as those in the manufacturing, electronics, and personal care sectors—to maintain robust compliance infrastructures and manage complex supply chains.