The automotive industry is accelerating the adoption of recycled materials as sustainability requirements reshape vehicle design and manufacturing. Evolving environmental regulations and decarbonization targets are fundamentally transforming material strategies across the automotive value chain. Increasing regulatory pressure, particularly in Europe, is driving manufacturers and suppliers to verify recycled content while maintaining performance, safety and compliance standards.
Proposed EU measures include requirements for up to 25% recycled plastic content in new vehicles, alongside obligations under the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive, which mandates high levels of reuse, recycling and recovery by vehicle weight. In parallel, enhanced traceability and digital product passport initiatives are increasing expectations for material transparency and data integrity. These developments are encouraging OEMs to rethink material selection, manufacturing processes and supply chain transparency.
Expanding applications for recycled materials
A growing range of post-consumer materials is now being integrated into automotive components, including recycled milk containers used for interior trim, discarded textiles used in sound insulation, plastic bottles incorporated into heating and ventilation systems and recycled tire rubber applied in pedals and floor mats.
While these applications advance circular economy goals, recycled materials can introduce variability in composition, emissions and mechanical performance, creating new testing and verification challenges for manufacturers. Material heterogeneity, potential contamination and batch-to-batch inconsistency require robust analytical validation and quality assurance protocols.
Verify recycled content and compliance
To support compliance with emerging regulations, we provide audit and testing solutions for automotive manufacturers and suppliers. Services include verification aligned with ISO 14021 or EN 15343, confirmation of recycled content through documentation and on-site audits and certification of recycled products.
Analytical testing enables identification and verification of recycled polymers using techniques such as Pyrolysis GC-MS, LC-MS and FTIR/NIR spectroscopy. We also support regulatory compliance through restricted substance testing, including screening to ensure compliance with:
- Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
- Global Automotive Declarable Substance List (GADSL)
- ELV Directive
Testing protocols are tailored to material type, application and regional regulatory requirements to mitigate compliance risks and safeguard market access.
Ensure performance and material quality
Because recycled materials may affect emissions and durability, we offer additional evaluations including volatile organic compounds (VOC) and formaldehyde analysis, odor and fogging testing, as well as mechanical, physical and thermal characterization and aging studies. These assessments provide critical data on long-term performance, in-use stability and interior air quality impacts.
By combining verification, testing and regulatory expertise, we help the automotive supply chain confidently integrate recycled materials while meeting evolving sustainability and compliance expectations. Our solutions enable your transition to sustainable materials while maintaining quality and performance standards. In the end, it’s trusted because it’s tested.
Learn more about our recycled and sustainable automotive materials testing services.
IMPACT NOW for sustainability
Sustainability is in our DNA. Through our four IMPACT NOW for sustainability pillars – climate, nature, ESG assurance and circularity – we deliver innovative solutions that enable smarter decision-making, regulatory compliance and environmental responsibility.
Under the circularity pillar, we offer a range of design, reuse and recycling solutions that help businesses meet the challenges of a climate-neutral, nature-positive and pollution-free future.
Learn more about IMPACT NOW for sustainability.
