Overview
ISO 22628:2002 specifies a standardized calculation method for the recyclability and recoverability rates of new road vehicles. Expressed as mass fractions (percent by mass), these rates estimate the portion of a vehicle that can potentially be reused, recycled, or energy‑recovered at end-of-life. The calculation is performed by the vehicle manufacturer when a vehicle is put on the market and supports eco‑design, environmental reporting and compliance activities.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose: Provides a repeatable method to quantify recyclability and recoverability as mass percentages of the vehicle (vehicle mass mV).
- Four calculation steps:
- Pretreatment: account for fluids, batteries, oil filters, LPG/CNG tanks, tyres, catalytic converters (mass mP).
- Dismantling: include dismantlable parts judged reusable/recyclable by accessibility, fastening, safety and proven dismantling technologies (mass mD).
- Metals separation: account for remaining ferrous and non‑ferrous metals (mass mM).
- Non‑metallic residue treatment: apportion remaining materials into recyclable (mTr) and energy‑recoverable (mTe) fractions based on proven technologies.
- Material classification: Vehicle contents are broken down into seven categories - metals; polymers (excluding elastomers); elastomers; glass; fluids; modified organic natural materials (MONM); and others.
- Calculation formulas:
- Recyclability rate R_cyc = (mP + mD + mM + mTr) / mV × 100
- Recoverability rate R_cov = (mP + mD + mM + mTr + mTe) / mV × 100
- Data reporting: Annex A defines a table format for presenting component masses and material breakdown; Annex B provides a schematic of the method.
- Limitations: Results depend on design, material properties and proven recycling/recovery technologies; the method does not predict the exact end‑of‑life processing that will be applied.
Applications and users
- Vehicle manufacturers: produce standardized recyclability/recoverability declarations for new models and support eco‑design decisions.
- Regulatory bodies and compliance teams: evaluate product stewardship, waste‑management performance and meet reporting requirements.
- Environmental assessors and recyclers: estimate material flows, plan dismantling and recovery processes.
- Policy makers and OEM suppliers: use rates to benchmark designs, promote material choices and improve dismantlability.
Keywords: ISO 22628, recyclability rate, recoverability rate, road vehicles, calculation method, end‑of‑life vehicles, dismantling, metals separation, non‑metallic residue, vehicle mass.
Related standards
- ISO 1176 - Road vehicles: Masses - Vocabulary and codes (normative reference)
- ISO 3833 - Road vehicles - Types, terms and definitions (bibliography)
