Guidance: Retaining shock absorbers and airbags in end of life vehicles (ELVs): RPS 195
Summary
The Environment Agency has updated its regulatory position statement on storing intact shock absorbers and undeployed airbags in otherwise fully depolluted end-of-life vehicles on hardstanding. The guidance confirms that the underlying environmental permit requirement remains in place, but enforcement action will not normally be taken if the stated conditions are met, including record-keeping and limits on which ELVs are covered.
Why it matters
This is relevant to surveyors involved with industrial, waste or redevelopment sites where vehicle storage or treatment may be present, as it affects environmental compliance and enforcement risk. It also highlights the need to check whether operations involving ELVs are properly permitted and whether site records support compliance.
Key points
- Covers storage of intact shock absorbers and undeployed airbags in fully depolluted ELVs on hardstanding
- Does not remove the need for an environmental permit for the waste operation
- Environment Agency says it will not normally take enforcement action if RPS conditions are met
- Applies only to ELVs on site before 7 August 2026
- Records must be kept for 3 years to demonstrate compliance
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
