BIR Gothenburg 2026 – Programme announcement International Environment Council: From regulation to implementation: the EU's End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation and Steel standards
International Environment Council:
From regulation to implementation: the EU's End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation and Steel Standards
The International Environment Council (IEC) session in Gothenburg will bring together leading voices from across the recycling and policy landscape to break down two major policy discussions currently shaping the metals and plastics recycling sector: the EU End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation and the sliding scale methodology for steel.
The ELV Regulation aims to improve vehicle circularity by introducing new requirements on recycled content, closed-loop recycling and material traceability, while reducing the environmental impact of vehicles throughout their lifecycle. At the same time, the sliding scale methodology for steel has sparked debate within the recycling industry, with BIR opposing the approach over concerns that it is misleading and sets a dual standard that greenwashes high-emission production processes, putting basic principles of circularity and resource efficiency at risk.
Chaired by Olivier François, President of Recycling Europe, the session will explore the implications of emerging regulatory frameworks for recyclers both within and beyond Europe, while also examining ongoing debates around steel standards, recycled content and fair market conditions.
Beyond the EU: the impact of the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation
Julia Ettinger, Secretary General of Recycling Europe, will provide an update on the latest developments surrounding the EU End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, with a particular focus on its impact beyond the European Union, the proposed closed-loop recycling requirements and the recycled content targets under discussion.
EU End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, scope and traceability
Robin Wiener, President of ReMA - Recycled Materials Association (USA), will amplify the discussion on the scope and mandate of the proposed ELV
regulation, its implications for non-EU recyclers and potential traceability requirements. She will also provide insights into engagement with automobile manufacturers in the United States and discuss how the regulatory developments may influence global markets.
The implications of a sliding scale methodology for green steel
Alexandra Vartan, BIR's Trade and Environment Policy Officer focusing on ferrous metals, critical raw materials and stainless steel, will provide an update on the latest developments surrounding the sliding scale methodology. Her intervention will outline address concerns of misleading communications suggesting that the approach incentivises the use of recycled steel.
She will also examine the broader implications for recycling markets, fair recognition of recycled content and the role of recyclers in supporting decarbonisation objectives within the steel value chain.
The IEC session promises to deliver a valuable dialogue on how regional regulations influence global markets, shaping the international sustainability discussion and the vital role that recyclers play in it.
Join us in Gothenburg on Wednesday June 3 for this unmissable session.
REGISTER NOW AND JOIN THE GLOBAL RECYCLING COMMUNITY IN GOTHENBURG!