End of Life Vehicles (ELV)
The
ELV directive (#2000/53/EC)
covers disposal
of vehicles and their components in the EU. For details and
amendments see the
EUROPA website. It singles out
four heavy metals whose use has been severely curtailed on
all vehicles sold in the EU since July 1, 2003: lead,
mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium. In a later
amendment to the directive, maximum concentration values of
0.1 wt.% for lead, Cr6+ and mercury, and 0.01
wt.% for cadmium, were established for each
“homogeneous
material” in a vehicle.
The limit on Cr6+ effectively
precludes the use of chromate conversion coatings to enhance
corrosion resistance on parts made from galvanized steel,
which is a widely used material in the automotive industry.
While two exemptions allow the temporary continued use of Cr6+
for corrosion prevention on new vehicles, the industry has
already begun a major effort to switch from Cr6+
to Cr3+ conversion coatings for galvanized steel
and other zinc coating applications on vehicles.
Exceptions and exemptions
ELV applies to any on-road vehicle or
equipment (including trailers) capable of speeds greater
than 25 kph. However, it excludes off-road vehicles,
railcars, mining and agricultural equipment, and vintage
cars.
Specific exemptions from the rule have been
granted, some only temporary but some permanent.
Temporary exemptions from ELV
requirements.
|
Material and component |
Exemption expiry date |
|
Lead in
aluminum alloys, up to 1.5 wt.% |
July 1, 2008 |
|
Lead in
bearing shells and bushes |
July 1, 2008 (subject to review) |
|
Lead in
vulcanizers and stabilizers for fluid and
powertrain elastomers, up to 0.5 wt.% |
July 1, 2006 |
|
Lead in
copper alloys for brake linings, up to 0.4 wt.% |
July 1, 2007 |
|
Lead in
valve seats (older engines) |
July 1, 2007 |
|
Cr6+
in corrosion preventive coatings |
July 1, 2007 |
|
Cr6+
in corrosion coatings for chassis fasteners |
July 1, 2008 (subject to review) |
|
Cadmium in
thick-film pastes |
July 1, 2006 |
|
Cadmium in
electric vehicle batteries |
December 31, 2008 (subject to
review) |
|
Cadmium in
glass for driver assistance systems |
July 1, 2007 |
Permanent exemptions from the requirements
include up to 0.35 wt.% lead in steels, up to 0.4 wt.% lead
in aluminum alloys, lead in solders, Cr6+ in
absorption refrigerators for motor homes, and mercury in
instrument panels. In addition, lead, Cr6+,
cadmium and mercury can continue to be used in spares for
older vehicles (sold before July 2003).
The
legislation also sets targets for reuse, recycling and
recovery. By January 1, 2006 it was intended that reuse and
recovery should be in place for 85% of vehicles, and reuse
and recycling for 80% of vehicles. However, not all EU
members have been able to meet these goals so far, even
though lower targets are allowed for vehicles built before
1980, largely because the certification systems in the
individual member states are only capturing an estimated 60%
of all ELVs.
|
