Like many pieces of EU legislation, there has been a varying degree of compliance with the regulations of the ELV Directive. In some cases, this has been because countries have had problems adjusting the legislation to fit within their national legal frameworks. However, the demanding level of technical requirements in the treatment of vehicles as illustrated above could be cited as the main reason for non-compliance, particularly in those new EU member states (there are exhaustive ISO coding standards to adhere to in the labeling and identification of components, principally plastics, that are designed to standardize the recycling and re-use process across European member states). The response, however, should not be to dilute the requirements for they have been formulated from a sound scientific basis and reflect the increasing urgency with the problem of hazardous waste management. The response could be improved with greater collaboration between member states through sharing technology and expertise.
An additional point that needs to be considered is that the ELV Directive only stipulates a minimum standard of compliance. The result might be that in the prevention of waste in the manufacturing process, car manufacturers in Europe have to comply with several different versions of the Directive according to which member state they are dealing with. The resulting costs might simply be prohibitive to any waste reduction plan.
Differences in the way the legislation has been implemented are also attributable to the way the public has been informed. As indicated above, the first stage of the process is the consumer having the vehicle processed by an authorized treatment facility (ATF). Even though this can be done free of charge there is evidence that illegal and irresponsible dumping often occurs when a vehicle is no longer required, thus leading to a range of environmental problems already highlighted. In response to this, waste regulators in the UK and elsewhere have developed on-line directories of ATFs (for example http://www.recycleyourcar.co.uk) aimed at not only consumers but also ATFs and other public bodies. There may also be scope for the car industry and waste managers to collaborate on some type of awareness campaign to encourage consumers to dispose of ELVs through a proper treatment facility. This may be required more in those countries where, for the time being, awareness of the importance of environmental protection and controls is in its infancy.