Brussels sues over car recycling laws

All EU governments face legal action after missing a deadline over a new law that will force car makers to dismantle and recycle old cars.

Each of the 15 member states is at least three months late in putting into force the directive, which aims to curb the dumping of old bangers.

The European Commission has taken the first step in bringing legal action against the countries and sent warning letters to all, telling them to put the directive into national law or face being taken to the EU's highest court.

Although the European Commission often takes action against member states for failing to meet obligations, it is rare for all 15 EU countries to fall foul of the rules.

Under the directive, owners would be able to hand back their old vehicle to its makers, or to scrap-disposal companies acting on their behalf, from 2007.

Car makers would be obliged to reuse 80 per cent of the weight of the vehicle, rising to 85 per cent in 2015.

Part of the delay has arisen because the directive – fought over for many years before being agreed – gives governments discretion about some of the details of the regulations. That has meant intensive lobbying from the motor industry, particularly over who pays for disposing of the "historic car park".

In the UK, for example, long-established car makers such as Rover feel they could be at a disadvantage compared to firms such as Nissan that are newer but have a large slice of the market.