Febelauto delivers a manifesto to the European Commission on behalf of 16 countries, at the ‘International Automotive Recycling Congress IARC 2024, in Antwerp’
Antwerp, Belgium, 20 June 2024: The European Commission drafted a new proposal of regulation on end-of-life vehicles in summer 2023. Febelauto, the management organisation responsible for vehicle recycling in Belgium, is cleverly using the IARC to further highlight the joint comments of 16 European countries.
Febelauto, the Belgian management body dedicated to the recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and batteries of hybrid and electric vehicles, is actively participating in the International Automotive Recycling Congress (IARC), which this year takes place from 19 to 21 June 2024 at the Hilton Hotel in Antwerp.
The new European ELV-proposal, which heralds a major reform in the field of vehicle recycling in the world, will be the discussion point during this new edition of the IARC. The proposal is of particular interest to quite a few participants present, active within the value chain of the circular car economy.
Febelauto enthusiastically supports the new European proposal for ELVs and recognises its important potential to improve the collection, treatment and recycling of end-of-life vehicles across Europe. Nevertheless, Febelauto, together with PROs and partners from 15 other countries (see annex), made a number of nuanced suggestions and warnings via a manifesto to ensure that the new proposal benefits both the European recycling sector and the EU’s wider environmental goals.
The manifesto consists of 20 ‘concerns’ jointly identified as problems by the 16 countries, for which a number of practical solutions are proactively put forward.
The biggest pain points concern:
the declining volume of ELVs arriving at European recyclers,
the activities of illegal treatment operators,
the additional dismantling obligations and
improving administration and work processes, as well as minimising costs.
We hope the European Commission will take our concerns to heart and positively consider our proposals. The PROs and partners from the 16 countries are first and foremost pushing for clear regulations and a workable context. More information about the 20 ‘concerns in the manifesto is available in the annex.
Catherine Lenaerts
“Febelauto is always committed to positive change and innovation’ states Catherine Lenaerts, Director of Febelauto. ‘The new European ELV proposal is an important opportunity to improve sustainability in our sector. We are, therefore, delighted to show our commitment to this cause at the IARC. We look forward, together with the other countries, to engaging with industry leaders and policymakers to further shape the future of car recycling in Europe.”
16 countries confront DG Circular Economy on new European ELV proposal.
On Thursday 20 June, at 11:00 am, Febelauto will invite Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director of Circular Economy at the European Commission, to the stand in the exhibition area of the IARC at the Hilton Hotel in Antwerp. The European DG will be welcomed by Catherine Lenaerts, Director of Febelauto and the 15 other PRO representatives present.
Mr Ciobanu-Dordea will find a car wreck on the stand written all over with the opinions of the international congress attendees on the new ELV proposal. In a symbolic gesture, he will use a key to open a discarded glove compartment of a car to receive the manifesto. This is a ‘light-hearted’ teaser of thecar wreck full of opinions that Febelauto will deliver to the European Commission after the Congress (if approved) …
Additional actions of Febelauto
The Febelauto stand is entirely dedicated to sustainable car recycling. The furniture was constructed from discarded car parts and the clothing of the stand manager was made from the PVBs of discarded car windshields. Congress participants can win fun prizes and leave their opinions on the ELV proposal on a sympathetic car wreck.
“With a 98% recovery rate, Belgium is among the absolute leaders in Europe in recycling end-of-life vehicles, and we should be proud of that.”
Therefore, Febelauto wants to spread this sustainable message beyond the closed community of the IARC. 2 eye-catchers will be deployed during the Congress days in Antwerp to raise awareness among the general public about the importance of the collection and sustainable recycling of end-of-life vehicles. In the streets around the Hilton hotel, you will be able to see our ‘end-of-life’ vehicle, which has been specially wrapped for the event, and on the square in front of the KMSKA – where the IARC networking event takes place – a very special statue will be placed (if approved) …
