Held in the vibrant capital of Warsaw, Poland, on May 22–23, 2025, the 6th International FORS Conference (FORS) convened under particularly high stakes. Organized by the Polish Auto Recyclers Association and drawing over 180 delegates from 15 countries, the two-day event proved far more than an industry catch-up. It emerged as a crucible for urgent, high-level dialogue on the transformation of the European vehicle recycling landscape, revolving around the debated proposal of the new European End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulation.
With Poland currently holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union, the conference gained added gravitas. Policymakers, recyclers, insurers, digital innovators, and environmental regulators gathered to dissect the new legislative framework, analyse economic consequences, and define the roles of producers, dismantlers, and digital marketplaces in a circular economy. Warmly opened by FORS Chairman Adam Małyszko, the event delivered substance and challenge as well as direction, despite the proposal heading towards its conclusion.
A Bold Legislative Vision: Regulatory Stakes Laid Bare
The conference opened with a keynote by Jaco Huisman, Policy Officer for the ELV Directive at the European Commission. Huisman’s address brought the audience up to date with the proposal, which intends to harmonise two legacy directives into a single regulation to catalyse circularity across the automotive sector.
The proposed regulation represents a structural overhaul. Motorcycles, buses, and heavy-duty vehicles would now fall under its scope. The Commission proposes recycling targets such as 25% recycled plastic content, with a closed-loop component. But the ambition doesn’t stop at environmental metrics. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), one of the thorniest issues in automotive policy, is positioned as the linchpin for fair cost distribution and closing the loop on “missing vehicles.”
Huisman didn’t sugarcoat the challenges: Europe lags behind the U.S. in digital aftermarket infrastructure and traceability. His message was unambiguous: data sharing and more innovative digital tools must form the backbone of the future auto recycling economy.
Poland’s Diplomatic Tightrope: ELV Regulation from a Presidency Viewpoint
Maciej Białek, representing the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment, offered a unique look into Poland’s strategic role during its EU Council Presidency. Balancing member state concerns with the urgency of reform, Białek emphasised a more expert-driven Annex I for determining ELV status, arguably a shift from a rigid regulatory dogma to nuanced technical grounding.
He tackled divisive issues such as plastic quotas, transboundary movements, and the patchwork of producer responsibility schemes. With deftness, Białek aligned Poland’s position with the need for phased implementation, targeting rogue actors rather than overwhelming compliant facilities. For many attendees, this was the articulation of a more practical, enforceable vision.
Industry Speaks: Pragmatism, Partnership, and EPR Realism
Silvia Vecchione of ACEA offered a thorough and pragmatic perspective on behalf of vehicle manufacturers, bridging policy and industry concerns. Her response was anchored in five key pillars: regulatory clarity, realistic targets, market alignment, balanced extended producer responsibility (EPR), and sector-specific solutions. When referring to EPR, she took the view that ELVs retain value, unlike other consumable products. Central to her approach was a call for a phased implementation of recycled plastics content targets over six years, guided by feasibility rather than ideology.
Echoing this, Agata Wysogrocka-Korczyńska from CLEPA emphasised the importance of remanufacturing, technology neutrality, and parts reuse. CLEPA’s insistence on recognising remanufacturers outside waste classifications hit a chord with recyclers pushing for clearer market recognition.
The legal dismantling community, represented by Henk Jan Nix of EGARA, voiced the need for inclusive EPR systems and called for access to OEM data. His demand for fair compensation for unprofitable materials and meaningful enforcement against illegal operations underscored a theme that would resonate throughout the conference: the auto dismantling sector cannot shoulder reform alone.
Insurers, Dismantlers, and the Missing Link of Trust
Michał Lang of the Polish Chamber of Insurance challenged the foundational logic of the draft regulation. He warned of asymmetric rules that could discourage repair, fuel illegal markets, and ultimately raise insurance costs. His call was to simplify criteria, promote used parts, and make the rules workable for both insurers and recyclers.
Adam Małyszko, the voice of Polish dismantlers, delivered the most impassioned critique of the ELV proposal. He warned that extending obligations to heavy-duty vehicles and enforcing recycled plastic content without financial pathways risks crippling the legal dismantling sector wish is already shrinking under economic pressure. With seven million deregistered vehicles unaccounted for in Poland, Małyszko’s closing words were stark: “Without enforceable, realistic, and incentivised reform, the regulation is not acceptable.”
Panel Discussion: Between Policy and Practicality
The conference moderator, Łukasz Cioch, led the speaker panel brilliantly, offering space for synthesis and productive friction. While Jako from the European Commission reiterated the need for harmonisation, Polish delegates raised concerns over the vast grey market, where up to 70% of dismantling operations are conducted illegally. Sustainability was reframed not just as a green goal, but as an economic imperative.
Panellists acknowledged the rise of digital tools and the promise of cross-sector collaboration. Yet, as one participant put it, “We can’t wait five more years. By then, we’ll be awash in EVs we’re not ready to handle.”
Digitizing the Aftermarket: Trust, Transparency, and Scaling Profitably
Kacper Winiarczyk of OVOKO offered a class in digital transformation. His data-driven analysis of online parts sales revealed the power of visual documentation and test videos to build trust. With even simple improvements, such as using white backgrounds when imaging parts and providing detailed donor car information, sales were boosted by up to 15%.
His message was echoed by OLX Group, which is repositioning itself as a central demand engine in the circular economy. Education, they argued, is the gateway to consumer trust, and dismantlers stand to benefit most.
The Practical Realities of Regulation: Ground-Level Voices
Willy Tomboy, drawing from extensive EU experience, critiqued the ELV Directives proposal, especially Article 22, which proposes cross-border cost allocation, arguing instead for smarter data sharing. Meanwhile, Eric Wilbert, President of the ARA, brought a grounded American perspective, cautioning that the U.S. still grapples with fragmented EV recycling and rising repair costs. Yet, his admiration for Europe’s ambition was clear.
From Japan, Professor Kenichi Togawa explored how demographic shifts affect recycling. Citing the Kitakyushu Eco Town and “urban mining,” he argued that value recovery lies in collaboration and innovation, not just regulation.
Day Two: Economic Pressures and Circular Opportunities
Jakub Faryś of the Polish Automotive Industry Association opened day two with a stark warning: without infrastructure and incentives, the shift to zero-emission mobility will stall. His demand to cleanse Poland’s registry of “dead souls” (refering to vehicles that are still listed in official records but are no longer in use) spoke directly to recyclers overwhelmed by untraceable vehicles.
Following him, Wojciech Kilianek of Lauber dissected remanufacturing’s paradoxes. High-return deposits can help, but they can also deter. He also exclaimed that Definitions of “waste” across EU borders must be clarified. His address was a plea for modern regulation that reflects today’s market realities.
Norwegian and Polish Lessons in EV Recycling
Siri Sveinsvoll from Norway offered a cautionary tale. Norway’s EV revolution has reshaped the auto landscape, with 95% of new cars electric by 2025. While dismantlers face legal, safety, and infrastructure challenges, opportunities in battery reuse and recycling are emerging. A new initiative, Autoretur Battery Recycling AS, aims to fill the regulatory gap and support sustainable solutions.
Agata Juzyk of ENERIS, one of the lithium battery recycling plants located in Poland, delivered hard truths from the battery industry. LFP chemistries yield less recyclable value, and overcapacity looms. Still, her appeal for transparent partnerships and aligned incentives set a tone of cautious optimism.
Artificial Intelligence and Operational Efficiency
Marcin Augustynowicz from ControlExpert gave a forward-looking glimpse into AI’s role in the sector. From fraud detection to automated vehicle assessments, AI is transforming how recyclers operate. But he also warned of its misuse: fake damage images and data manipulation. “You can’t afford not to adopt AI,” he concluded, “but you also can’t afford to be naïve.”
Global Best Practices: From Denmark to Poland
Professor Agnieszka Merkisz-Guranowska showcased global models of ELV recovery, from France’s layered EPR structure to Norway’s scrappage incentives. Her evaluation of Poland was blunt: near-zero enforcement and widespread grey market activity. Her conclusion was unmistakable: ELV recovery succeeds only with integrated systems, not piecemeal fixes.
Closing Address: Regulatory Reality Check
Artur Wróblewski of GIOŚ (Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection) closed the conference with a technical, but powerful, reminder. EU Regulation 2024/1157 will take effect by May 2026, transforming waste shipment rules. Dismantlers must prepare: undocumented, unsorted, or mixed auto parts will be treated as waste. His message was “raise your standards or risk losing your license to operate”.
From Warsaw, a Clear Call for Action
The 6th International FORS Conference delivered clarity amid complexity. Across presentations and panels, one unifying theme emerged: the road to a circular automotive economy is paved not just with regulation, but with practical engagement, digital integration, and financial realism.
Stakeholders called for smarter EPR models, cross-border harmonisation, and market-ready targets. From Poland’s grey market battles to Norway’s EV recycling lag, the challenges are real, but so are the opportunities.
As Europe stands on the cusp of major regulatory change, the voices from Warsaw remind us that policy must not be forged in isolation. It must be shaped with, by, and for the people who recycle our vehicles, power our digital platforms, and build our circular economy.
Auto recyclers are ready; they are just waiting to know in which direction to proceed.
