Tyres Europe and Recycling Europe call for harmonized EU end-of-waste criteria for recycled tire rubber
Tyres Europe and Recycling Europe are urging the European Commission to introduce harmonized EU-wide End-of-Waste criteria for rubber recovered from end-of-life tires, arguing that fragmented national rules are restricting trade, investment and wider use of recycled tire materials. In a joint position published on July 31, 2026, the two organizations said clear and binding criteria are needed to determine when ELT-derived rubber ceases to be classified as waste and becomes a product. They argue that a common framework would reduce administrative barriers, improve legal certainty, support quality assurance and make it easier for tire and rubber manufacturers to incorporate recycled materials into new products. The initiative is also linked to wider EU circular economy objectives, including the Clean Industrial Deal, the forthcoming Circular Economy Act and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which are expected to increase demand for recycled materials and strengthen Europe’s internal market for secondary raw materials.
