The European Commission has launched an?online public consultation?on the evaluation of the Ship Recycling Regulation that will run until June 7, 2023.

Since 2013, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation has provided a regulatory framework for the recycling of EU-flagged ships. It acts as a benchmark for ship recycling legislation around the world.

Most ships are built with materials that are suitable for recycling. When ships are dismantled, steel, other scrap metals and various types of equipment become available and can be reuse further.

1. ships, however, are dismantled outside the EU, under conditions that are often harmful to workers' health and the environment.

The ongoing evaluation aims to:

• assess how well the Regulation has been applied and its impact to date
• assess how well it contributes to the general policy objectives of the European Green Deal and the circular economy action plan
• identify shortcomings with its implementation and enforcement.

Depending on the findings of the evaluation, the Commission might then launch a revision process for the Regulation.

Safe and environmentally sound ship recycling requires the involvement of a wide range of actors, from shipowners to recyclers, from brokers to industry, from national governments to third country authorities, and from NGOs to citizens.