Implementation of the end of life vehicles directive has been 'messed up' in the UK, according to MEP Chris Davies.
Unscrupulous dealers in the UK are failing to remove potential contaminants such as oil, brake fluid, tyres and airbags before scrapping vehicles. In the UK, old cars must be taken to one of 1200 ATFs licensed by the environment agency. Car owners should be issued with a 'certificate of destruction' to prove that the vehicle has been de-polluted, scrapped lawfully and road tax is no longer due.
Estimates suggest that 55% of vehicles are scrapped illegally in the UK with many local illegal dismantlers undercutting the ATFs by collecting cars and disposing of them illegally.
Commenting on the Directive, Chris Davies said: 'This EU law is good news for the environment but the entire scheme is undermined if these people can simply carry on letting oil and brake fluids wash down the nearest drain." He went on to praise Sweden and the Netherlands, who he believes are implementing the changes effectively.