Automotive manufacturing companies and association in a number of EU countries have been raided by European Union antitrust regulation officials. The move has taken place in relation to suspected breaches of bloc cartel rules on end-of-life vehicles.

The European Commission says it has also sent out requests for information to some companies, but has not specified any names. An EU competition enforcer commented, "The inspections and requests for information concern possible collusion in relation to the collection, treatment and recovery of end-of-life cars and vans which are considered waste." 

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), said it had also launched an investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct and was cooperating closely with the European Commission on the matter. 

EU regulations require these en-of-life vehicles to be disposed in a sustainable way, however anecdotal evidence from many countries suggests that vehicle manufacturers are taking back and crushing end-of-life vehicles before appropriate reuse and recycling options are explored.