International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

Arising from the free take back of end of life vehicles, qualitative environmental
benefits arguably grow in society, by reducing the numbers of vehicles being
abandoned in public places and by increasing awareness amongst the general public
in relation to the proper treatment and disposal of end of life vehicles. The system
whereby authorised treatment facilities (ATFs) will issue Certificates of Destruction
(CoDs) will contribute to the improvement of Ireland’s vehicle registration system and
may also help combat certain forms of anti-social behaviour associated with end-oflife
vehicles.
Storage and treatment standards will be improved in line with the requirements of
Annex 1 of the ELV Directive. These new standards will reduce the risk of negative
environmental impacts on both the environment and human health.
The Waste Management (End of Life Vehicles) Regulations 2006 transpose the aim of
the Directive on prevention of waste arisings from end of life vehicles and promoting
the collection, re-use and recycling of their components. Vehicles are to be treated in
an environmentally sound manner resulting in higher environmental standards across
all facilities involved in the collection, storage and treatment of end of life vehicles.
22.6.1 Environmental Benefits – Prevention
The Regulations promote the prevention of waste through specific provisions such as
restrictions on the use of specified hazardous substances in the manufacture of new
vehicles. While motor manufacturing does not take place in Ireland, the Regulations
transpose the provisions in the Directive on the restriction of hazardous substances
in motor vehicles and the Irish environment will benefit from this restriction on the
future use of these substances 481 . Restricting and reducing the use of hazardous
substances prevents their release into the environment, thereby avoiding the need to
dispose of future hazardous waste arisings and further facilitating the recycling of
specified vehicles at end of life.
The Regulations place eco-design obligations on vehicle producers introducing the
prohibition of heavy metals for materials and components of specified vehicles.
Vehicles that a producer places on the market cannot contain lead, mercury,
cadmium or hexavalent chromium other than in the cases specified in the Fourth
Schedule of the 2006 Regulations. These restrictions thereby encourage the motor
manufacturing industry to design and produce more reusable and recyclable
parts/components and hence adopting more environmentally friendly practices in the
use of materials.
Waste prevention is defined as the eliminating and reduction at source of material in
terms of waste arisings and harmful substances. By virtue of the above, the End of
Life Vehicles Regulations result in hazardous waste prevention and minimisation.
481 Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government (May 2006) Statement on
Regulatory Impact – Waste Management (End of Life Vehicles) Regulations 2006.
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