Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) brought the curtains down on its four-day Sustainability Week 2026 with the successful hosting of the 1st International Conference on Automotive Material Compliance & Sustainability (AMCS) at India Habitat Centre. Held under the theme “Driving Circularity, Compliance, and Innovation in the Global Automotive Supply Chain,” the conference convened regulators, policymakers, industry executives and technology specialists to accelerate progress toward sustainable materials management, end-of-life vehicle systems and transparent digital supply networks.
The opening session, focused on India’s shift toward sustainable mobility and material governance, reaffirmed SIAM’s commitment to fostering a circular and future-ready automotive ecosystem. Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, noted that as the world’s third-largest automobile market, India is advancing sustainable mobility through strengthened safety standards, responsible material use and circular economy-led decarbonisation. He highlighted the importance of the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Rules, 2025 in promoting structured scrappage, higher recycling efficiency and improved resource recovery. During the session, SIAM released a context paper titled “Strengthening Automotive Material Compliance Across the Vehicle Value Chain.”
Industry leaders emphasised the need for lifecycle thinking and measurable sustainability benchmarks. Speakers underlined the importance of linking vehicle design to responsible disposal, promoting digital product passports and sustainability indices, and integrating material selection considerations from the earliest stages of development. The role of registered vehicle scrapping facilities in ensuring proper segregation and compliance was also discussed.
Global perspectives were presented on digital transformation and regulatory alignment. Experts highlighted the rapid growth in adoption of the International Material Data System (IMDS) in India, reflecting stronger industry commitment to data-driven compliance and ESG integration. Representatives from Europe, the United States and Japan shared insights into evolving regulatory frameworks and collaborative models such as Catena-X for secure, standardised data exchange across automotive supply chains.
Three technical sessions explored policy frameworks for end-of-life vehicles, digital enablement of compliance systems and practical challenges faced by OEMs and component manufacturers. Discussions addressed the management of Persistent Organic Pollutants under the Stockholm Convention, the integration of product carbon footprint metrics into IMDS platforms and strategies to enhance supplier maturity in India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Senior representatives from leading automotive and component companies participated in panel deliberations, offering perspectives on harmonising compliance with operational efficiency. The conference concluded with a renewed call for shared accountability between manufacturers, suppliers and service providers to reduce environmental impact and strengthen governance systems.
Over the years, SIAM has worked closely with government authorities and industry stakeholders to promote cleaner fuels, advanced technologies and responsible manufacturing practices. Through initiatives such as Sustainability Week 2026, the organisation continues to advance its mission of building the nation responsibly while supporting India’s long-term sustainable mobility goals.
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers is the apex national body representing major vehicle and engine manufacturers in India. Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, SIAM works to enhance the automotive sector’s contribution to economic development, environmental stewardship and road safety, while supporting the industry in meeting its broader social responsibilities.
