The End of Life Vehicle regulations apply to scrap cars and vans that have a gross vehicle weight of up to 3,500kg. (End of life vehicle, or ELV, is another name for what's normally known as a scrap car, junk car, breaker or salvage vehicle).
The regulations were designed to reduce the impact that scrap cars have on the environment.
They were introduced in Ireland in 2006 and require scrap cars to be depolluted before destruction. This involves the removal of fluids, tyres, batteries and hazardous materials, before any of the remaining parts or materials can be reused or recycled. Depollution can only be carried out at Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) holding the appropriate environmental permit.
An obligation is placed on last owners to dispose of their car using an ATF, which must issue a Certificate of Destruction.
As of 2015, 95% of the weight of each car must also be recycled.
View information on the End Of Life Vehicle Regulations and read a copy of them on the Irish Government's Citizen's Information website 
CarTakeBack scrap car recycling centres carefully remove all hazardous materials, such as the oils, batteries and tyres. The metal, plastics and glass can then separated for recycling, to help meet the 95% target in the End-of-Life Vehicles legislation.
All businesses that handle scrap cars, which means car dismantlers, scrap yards, junk yards, salvage yards and breakers, have to obtain an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) Waste Licence, or Waste Permit, from their local authorities. It's the responsibility of the local authorities to carry out regular visits to ensure compliance with the regulations.
All of CarTakeBack's scrap car recycling centres hold a valid ATF Waste Licence, or ATF Waste Permit.
The standards required by the permit and licence were set by the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government. They require businesses to invest substantially in buildings and equipment, concrete surfaces and sealed drainage systems. This is needed to stop toxic chemicals leaking into the ground where they could end up polluting the ground and water supplies.
Only sites holding an Authorised Treatment Facility Waste Permit or Waste Licence can register with the Department of Transport (DoT) in Shannon, which enables them to issue you with a Certificate of Destruction.