End-of-life vehicles. ELV Directive

The Commission welcomes the adoption of the Common Position. Although the Common Position contains some differences in comparison with the original Commission proposal, the Commission considers it to be generally acceptable, particularly in light of the need to proceed quickly towards the adoption of European rules concerning a sector where environmental requirements are greatly needed. Some significant differences, however, make the Common Position in some aspects less stringent than the original Commission proposal. These differences relate in particular to the scope of the Proposal, the date of implementation of the 'free take-back' and the producer responsibility, as well as the use of Environmental Agreements in order to implement certain provisions of the Directive. Another difference relates to the measures concerning heavy metals contained in vehicles. The Council has endorsed the approach proposed by the European Parliament. However, a large number of derogations to this provision have been included in Annex II. Despite the presence of these derogations, the Commission has accepted this approach, having also taken into consideration the specific request for product-related preventive measures included in the ESC's Opinion on this proposal.�