Identification of Activities Covered by the Solvents Regulations in Ireland

Executive Summary

URS Ireland Ltd was contracted by the Environmental Protection Agency to complete EPA Project Reference NWPP-2004-05: “The Development of a Methodology and Identification of Activities covered by the Solvents Regulations”. This project was funded by the National Waste Prevention Programme.

This project was funded by the National Waste Prevention Programme.

This project relates to the Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Organic Solvents
Regulations 2002, S.I. No. 543 of 2002 (the Solvents Regulations). The aim of the project was to
identify and compile a database of companies, which may be subject to the requirements of the
Solvents Regulations. The purpose of the database was to provide a tool for the following reasons:

• To assist activities to achieve compliance with the Solvents Regulations;
• To provide a tool for Accredited Inspection Contractors (AICs);
• To assist Local Authorities in their role in enforcing the Solvents Regulations by providing an initial listing of activities potentially covered by the Solvents Regulations.

Note that “Activities” are, for the purpose of this report, called ‘Installations’ (or companies) and
Activities in the context of the Solvents Regulations are types of activity, such as vehicle refinishing.

The Local Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the Regulations. The EPA contracted
URS to carry out this project in order for help the Local Authorities to prepare for the implementation of
the Regulations. The EPA will not be responsible for the maintenance or updating of the database.
Local Authorities may compile and maintain their own internal database using the URS prepared
preliminary database.

Throughout the report, there is reference to companies that ‘definitely fall under the Solvents
Regulations’, are ‘scheduled activities but below relevant solvent consumption thresholds’,
etc. This refers to such installations as being thus identified. However, it is important to note
that such statements are based on information provided to URS by installations and other third
parties.