Bluecycle calls for global standards to improve future reputation for car salvage

July 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Vehicle design and the increased use of recyclable materials in production is becoming additionally important, and is included in current European Union End of Life Vehicle (ELV) legislation. By 2015, 95% of vehicle materials used in construction must be recyclable.

It is forecast that more vehicles will be produced and sold in the next 20 years than in the entire previous history of the motor industry.  More vehicles sold mean more vehicles to dispose of. The statistics are compelling: 1 billion vehicles scrapped worldwide since 1960; it is predicted that this figure will be almost doubled by 2030 (figures from Drivenet).

It’s not only the bodywork, glass and trim that needs to be considered, when you add aftermarket sales, over 9 billion batteries will be disposed of between now and 2030 – along with 181 billion litres of oil, 54 billion tyres and 13 billion Pyrotechnic devices.

And what can the motor salvage industry do about this? Andy Latham, Compliance Manager for Bluecycle, the UK's leading online car salvage auction business, shares his views:

Option1
Do nothing. Watch unlicensed and illegal operators take all the vehicles that they can, repair them cheaply to a poor standard and not take any responsibility for consumer protection, whilst all the time bringing the salvage industry into disrepute.

Option 2
Continue to work to current national standards without reference to other countries or salvage associations. This would have an impact locally but fail to acknowledge the global salvage market nor address vehicles in cross border trading.

Option 3
Continue to work locally to raise standards as much as possible, but also work globally to get more countries working towards similar standards. To do this, the motor salvage industry needs to produce a set of guidelines, or standards, that the global salvage industry can work towards.

The proposed motor salvage code of practice takes some of the best parts of all current standards and codes of practice, refined and updated to allow for cross border trading, but flexible enough to update when new technology or further research and testing shows that changes need to be made.

The code sets minimum standards, but allows for tougher local standards where applicable. For example, allowing the re-use of non deployed airbags in the US under the strict rules and protocols in place, where this action would not be allowed in the UK because the Code of Practice specifically excludes this.

The code is designed to support all legitimate motor salvage and auto recycling operations, which care about their businesses, staff, customers and the environment. It’s an initiative that deserves the support of all national and international motor salvage and auto recycling associations.

An effective code of practice could avoid legislation as governments can see the industry is taking responsibility for its actions, ensuring:
•   more quality recycled parts used to repair vehicles,
•   increased consumer safety,
•   more repair opportunities,
•   reduction of repair costs
•   reduction in CO2 as a direct result of less new parts being used
•   reduction of fraud
•   increased numbers of legitimate operators
•   increase the professionalism and customer perception of the motor salvage industry

At the same time, enhanced enforcement by local environmental agencies is needed, to ensure that all licensed operators are working to a consistently high standard. Businesses that fail to achieve these standards should be given the support they require to improve. Those that do not have licences must either raise their standards and receive appropriate licenses or face closure.

Legislators need to be able to close down those operations that are unlicensed and courts must be allowed to set down substantial fines and sentences that send the message loud and clear, that unlawful and unethical activity will not be tolerated in this industry.

All national and international motor salvage and auto recycling associations need to use their considerable experience and influence, by continuing to set the highest industry standards that will improve not only professionalism but also profits within this industry.

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