Regulations governing solvent emissions are now in force. These oversee the emission of solvent vapours from 20 specified activities and bring the activities of much smaller businesses under the control of the local authorities. Implementation and guidance has been developed as part of the National Waste Prevention Programme.
Businesses now affected include:
Activities using more than 10 tonnes per annum of solvents require an Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (IPPC) licence from the EPA.
Activities which don't require an IPPC licence must now be registered with their local authority and obtain a certificate of compliance.
First, an inspection needs to be carried out by an Accredited Inspection Contractor (AIC), who must be selected from a panel drawn up by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).
The AIC's annual inspections form the basis of a report to be submitted to the relevant local authority (county council or city council).
The inspection and report are to be paid for by the individual business.
If the local authority is satisfied the requirements have been met, it will issue a certificate of compliance.
For further information on how to become an Accredited Inspector Contractor, contact Patrick O'Brien (INAB) on (01) 6073003, e-mail inab@inab.ie or visit the INAB website http://www.inab.ie
The new Deco-paints Regulations cover the Vehicle Refinishing for Repair Sector. The Regulation limits the solvent content of all paints, including those used for vehicle refinishing.
The new regulations provide for an extension of the AIC Scheme to this Sector. New guidance is in development by the EPA for this Sector. Please note that the original coating of real vehicles and trailers continues to be governed by the Solvent, not the Deco-paints Regulations.
Read more advice - including surface cleaning, vehicle refinishing and coating, dry cleaning, and a plain English guide to the Solvents Regulations
Read Ireland's Report on Compliance Levels Concerning Regulations Governing Emissions from Solvents
Check the results of pilot audits on vehicle refinishing and drying cleaning establishments, and download a spreadsheet on the Solvent Users in Ireland Directory Project
Download a records spreadsheet for dry cleaners
Download a contact list for Accredited Inspection Contractors and Solvent Contacts
Download Legislation Commission Decision 2007/205/EC
List of Relevant Contacts in Local Authorities
