Interpretation of the National Standard GB/T 19515—2023: Requirements and Calculation Methods for Recyclability Rate and Recoverability Rate of Road Vehicles
The national standard GB/T 19515—2023, titled "Road vehicles - Recyclability and recoverability - Requirements and calculation methods," has been officially released and implemented. This standard is crucial for guiding automotive manufacturers in selecting recyclable materials for new products and enhancing the potential recyclability and recoverability of vehicles. This paper provides a comprehensive interpretation of the standard, covering its background, significance, technical requirements for the two rates (recyclability rate and recoverability rate), and the calculation methods. The standard aims to assist automotive enterprises in establishing a calculation system for these rates, thereby improving the recyclability performance of vehicles, reducing waste from end-of-life vehicles, and promoting the circular economy within the automotive industry. Key aspects include the alignment with international standards such as ISO 22628 and EU directives, the historical evolution of the standard from 2004 to 2023, and the detailed calculation methodology based on four stages of end-of-life vehicle processing: pre-treatment, dismantling, metal separation, and treatment of non-metallic residues. The paper also highlights the importance of design-phase considerations and the need for manufacturers to collect accurate material data from their supply chains. Future improvements to the standard are discussed, including expanding vehicle type coverage and refining material identification requirements.