ISO 22628:2002

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)