Vehicles: the Circularity Vehicle Passport Is Taking Shape
The EU End-of-Life Vehicles / Circularity Requirements Regulation (procedure 2023/0284(COD)) introduces a Circularity Vehicle Passport, a digital record of a vehicle’s materials, components and circularity data. The European Parliament adopted the text at first reading on 18 June 2026. This is a separate regime from ESPR, the passport is phased in around 2032, and the final act still needs Council adoption and Official Journal publication. Manufacturers, importers and recyclers can already start structuring material, recycled-content and dismantling data.
From ELV Directive to Circularity Vehicle Passport
ELV Directive and 3R type-approval
The End-of-Life Vehicles Directive (2000/53/EC) and the 3R Type-Approval Directive (2005/64/EC) set the earlier framework that the new Regulation consolidates and replaces.
Commission proposal
The Commission proposes a Regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on the management of end-of-life vehicles (procedure 2023/0284(COD)).
Provisional agreement
Parliament and Council reach a provisional agreement in trilogue on the text, including the Circularity Vehicle Passport, recycled-content targets and extended producer responsibility.
European Parliament adoption
The European Parliament adopts the agreed text at first reading in plenary. The act still needs formal Council adoption and Official Journal publication.
Circularity Vehicle Passport phases in
The Circularity Vehicle Passport is expected to apply around 2032, with exact scope and dates set by the final adopted Regulation.
Readiness Areas for Vehicles
Vehicle and component identity
Vehicle type and component identification, model structure and variant mapping across the bill of materials.
Recycled content and materials
Recycled-content evidence for plastics, steel and other materials, plus material declarations supporting recyclability.
Dismantling and circularity data
Dismantling information, removability of parts and circularity data for reuse, remanufacturing and recycling.
Supply chain and producer responsibility
Supplier declarations, extended-producer-responsibility data and end-of-life traceability across the value chain.
Who Should Start First?
The highest-priority preparation case covers:
- vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) placing vehicles on the EU market
- importers and distributors of vehicles and major components
- parts and component suppliers feeding the automotive value chain
- dismantlers, recyclers and authorised treatment facilities handling end-of-life vehicles