On 24 July 2026, the European Union published Regulation (EU) 2026/1738 on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on management of end-of-life vehicles, amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2019/1020 and (EU) 2023/1542 and repealing Directives 2000/53/EC and 2005/64/EC. This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall apply from 1 September 2028.

Key updates under the new ELV Regulation (EU) 2026/1738 are summarised below:

1. Enhanced legal effect

The legal instrument is upgraded from a Directive to a Regulation. It applies directly in all EU Member States without requiring transposition into national legislation.

2. Expanded scope of application

Building on the original coverage of categories M1 vehicles (passenger cars), categories N1 vehicles (light commercial vehicles) and certain three-wheel motor vehicles, the scope is extended in phases:

• From 1 September 2028: vehicles and end-of-life vehicles of categories M1 and N1 as referred to in Article 4(1), points (a)(i) and (b)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858;

• From 1 September 2029: applicable to to special purpose vehicles and end-of-life special purpose vehicles, as defined in Article 3, point (31), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858, of categories M1 and N1;

• From 1 September 2031: applicable to buses and heavy-duty vehicles (categories M2, M3, N2, N3), O category trailers, and L-category two-wheeled, three-wheeled and four-wheeled powered vehicles.

3. Stricter control of hazardous substances

• The existing restrictions on lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium laid down in the former ELV Directive are maintained.

• Compliance with relevant restrictions set out in the EU REACH Regulation and the POPs Regulation is mandatory.

• The presence of substances of concern in vehicles and their components shall be minimised as far as possible. The European Commission shall draw up a report on substances of concern in vehicles by 14 February 2028.

• Annex XII of the new ELV Regulation amends Annex I of the EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 to align and integrate hazardous substance limits under the ELV framework and the Battery Regulation. The revised requirements in Annex I of the Battery Regulation are set out below:

4. Other updates

In addition, the new ELV Regulation introduces specific requirements covering recycled content in vehicles, design to enable removal and replacement of certain parts and components in vehicles, the digital circularity vehicle passport and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

URL：

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/1738/oj/eng

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