A new legislative proposal from the European Parliament has sent ripples through the global automotive and aerospace sectors, as it aims to designate carbon fibre as a hazardous material under European Union law. The move, if approved, would make the EU the first government entity worldwide to apply such a classification to the lightweight composite, widely prized for its strength and durability.
The proposed amendment forms part of the revised End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive, which governs the recycling and disposal of vehicles within the EU. Lawmakers have expressed concern that carbon fibre filaments may become airborne during disposal or recycling processes and pose risks to human health upon skin contact. As a result, the material could soon join the EU’s restricted substances list—currently comprising lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium—materials already subject to strict limitations in manufacturing.
Should the European Parliament adopt the proposal, restrictions on the use of carbon fibre would begin to take effect in 2029, prompting a phased reduction across industries. Automotive manufacturers alone account for an estimated 20 percent of the global demand for carbon fibre, highlighting the widespread implications of the amendment.
