European Union member states and Parliament negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on a new Circular Vehicles Regulation. This agreement will prohibit the export of used vehicles without a valid technical inspection certificate (APK) to countries outside the European Union. The primary objectives of this measure are to improve road safety and air quality, particularly in lower-income countries that often receive these older vehicles.
This regulation is part of a broader effort by the EU to promote a circular economy and address environmental and safety concerns associated with the export of end-of-life or substandard vehicles. Currently, many used vehicles are exported from the EU without undergoing final inspections, leading to potential safety hazards and increased emissions in destination countries.
For freight forwarders and logistics companies involved in the export of used vehicles from the EU, this new regulation will introduce a mandatory compliance step. They will need to verify that all vehicles possess a valid APK certificate before shipment. This could lead to additional administrative work, potential delays if vehicles require inspection, and a need for updated documentation processes. The regulation aims to prevent the dumping of unsafe or polluting vehicles, which may affect the volume and nature of used vehicle exports from the EU.
The final adoption of the Circular Vehicles Regulation will formalize these requirements, and businesses will need to adapt their export procedures accordingly.
