End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Testing and Validation Services

The new EU Automotive End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Regulation introduces strengthened requirements for recycled content, material traceability, recyclability and chemical safety across the full vehicle life cycle. Automotive manufacturers and suppliers must demonstrate greater transparency and technical control over materials used in vehicles produced in or placed on the EU market.

UL Solutions Engineered Materials services help the automotive industry meet these requirements through trusted third-party testing, material expertise and regulatory-ready documentation to help demonstrate compliance, reduce risk and support circular economy goals.

Under the ELV Regulation, recycled plastic content mandates will be phased in over a 10-year period, including: 

• Minimum 15% recycled content required six years after entry into force of the regulation
• Minimum 25% recycled content required 10 years after entry into force of the regulation

At least 20% of these recycled content targets will need to be sourced from ELVs. This equates to 3% recycled content sourced from ELVs after six years, and 5% recycled content after 10 years.

As recycled content requirements increase under the EU ELV Regulation, manufacturers must demonstrate that recycled plastics can continue to meet stringent automotive safety, durability and performance standards.

Our key services include

• Comparison testing between virgin and recycled materials
• Mechanical, thermal and environmental performance testing and certification of recycled polymers
• Verification of post-consumer recycled content
• Support for evaluating material substitutions when preferred materials are unavailable
• Contaminant screening and material consistency evaluation
• Technical documentation to support regulatory reporting and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) requirements

The ELV Regulation reinforces controls on hazardous substances, such as mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, PFAS and more. The goal is to improve recyclability, environmental safety and regulatory compliance.  

UL Solutions supports the identification and management of chemical risks in automotive materials through services including:

• Screening and quantitative analysis for restricted substances and substances of concern
• Support for EU chemical compliance and material disclosure obligations
• Identification of substances that can negatively impact closed-loop recycling
• Evaluation of alternative materials and safer chemistry options
• Validation of supplier material data and compliance documentation

Standardized plastic identification is essential for effective vehicle dismantling, sorting and recycling. UL Solutions supports identification according to ISO 1043 material identification standards. 

Key services include

• Polymer identification and confirmation testing 
• Verification of ISO 1043 material designation and marking accuracy 
• Technical guidance for compounds, blends, fillers and reinforced plastics 
• Support for multi-material component identification 
• Documentation to support audits, declarations and recyclability claims

UL Solutions combines material science expertise, automotive experience and regulatory insight to help advance compliance with the emerging EU Automotive End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation.

From evaluating recycled plastics to managing chemical risks to identifying materials according to ISO standards, UL Solutions Engineered Materials experts are ready to support your compliance strategy.