EC charges Poland over end-of-life vehicle failings

Brussels - The European Commission is taking Poland to the EU Court of Justice for failing to properly implement EU legislation on end-of-life vehicles (ELV) including the collection and recycling system required.

Under an ELV directive, the EU has set clear quantified targets for the re-use, recycling and recovery of vehicles and their components, including tires and elastomer parts such as hose and sealing.

The Commission said it had identified a number of shortcomings in Polish legislation in this area back in 2009, and opened infringement procedures.

Poland accepted most of the shortcomings pointed out by the Commission, indicating that these would be addressed by new legislation in 2013. However no further amendment has appeared.

Polish legislation still contains no obligation to collect waste used parts and also discriminates against vehicles that are not registered in Poland, said the EC, announcing that a court summons had now been issued.