End-of-Life Vehicles Directive (ELV) 2000/53/EC

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If you manufacture, import, or sell any vehicle (cars, vans, trucks <3.5t), spare parts, accessories or the raw materials to produce in the EU/UK, ELV Directive 2000/53/EC is non-negotiable. It bans four heavy metals outright:

• Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI)
  Maximum 0.1% (0.01% for cadmium) by weight in any homogeneous material — wheels, batteries, switches, paints, coatings, electronics, brake pads, and thousands of components.

Vehicles must be 95% reusable/recyclable and 85% recoverable by weight, with strict coding standards (ISO 1043, 11469) so dismantlers know exactly what’s inside. From 2024 onward, enforcement is tightening: type-approval is refused for non-compliant new models, and aftermarket parts without valid material declarations are blocked.

Non-compliance consequences are brutal: customs rejection of entire containers, national sales bans, forced recalls, fines up to 10% of global turnover, criminal liability, and instant delisting by BMW, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and every major OEM and retailer. Amazon and eBay already demand ELV-compliant IMDS entries or material declarations before listing parts.

One hidden lead solder joint or chromated bolt can crush your entire European automotive business overnight. Professional ELV material testing, IMDS submission support, and restricted-substance declarations are the only proven shield. Don’t gamble millions on untested components. 

Perform a risk assessment  or Book a compliance review and secure your ELV compliance now before your next shipment is turned away at the border.