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Solvent Regulations

Various industrial activities use solvents as part of their manufacturing process.  These activities are now subject to the Solvent Regulations 2002 and in the case of the vehicle refinishing activity, Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds due to the use of Organic Solvents in Certain paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2007.

S.I. No. 543 of 2002 “Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Organic Solvents Regulations 2002” (known as the “Solvents Regulations”)


The Regulations came into force on the 30th of November 2002 and impact a wide range of industry sectors.

INDUSTRY SECTORS IMPACTED


The Regulations apply to twenty categories of industry activities (listed in Schedule 1 of the Regulations) using solvents in volumes above specified solvent consumption thresholds per year (defined in Schedule 2 of the Regulations). The impacted activities are:-
 • Printing
 • Surface cleaning
 • Original Vehicle coating and refinishing
 • Coil coating
 • Other coating (metal, plastic, textile, fabric, film, paper)
 • Winding wire coating
 • Coating wooden surfaces, leather
 • Dry cleaning
 • Wood impregnation
 • Footwear manufacture
 • Adhesive coating
 • Manufacture of coating preparations, varnishes, inks, adhesives
 • Rubber conversion
 • Vegetable oil and animal fat extraction and vegetable oil refining
 • Manufacture of pharmaceutical products.

Solvent users must determine if the Regulations apply to their operation.  This depends on your sector and how much solvent you consume in a year.

Under the above Regulations you are legally required to register with Fingal Co. Council and obtain a certificate of compliance.

Registration involves submitting the following to Fingal Co. Council, Environmental Health section:
• The registration details, as set out in the 2002 Regulations
• A report by an accredited inspection contractor (AIC) on compliance (or otherwise) with the Regulations.  This is called an AIC report.
• A fee of €50

Registration form can be downloaded at the bottom of this page, along with a list of registered dry cleaners and vehicle refinishers.

AIC report


The AIC report sets out whether or not your facility complies with the requirements of these regulations.  The cost of having the AIC report prepared is borne by you.  The inspection contractor used to prepare the AIC report must be accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).  The AIC report will state why/if compliance is not achieved (major non-compliances). The AIC report must be submitted annually and a fee of €50 must be paid to Fingal Co. Council every time an AIC report is submitted.

Fingal Co. Council must issue you with a certificate of compliance within 14 days of receiving your report once it is satisfied that you are in compliance with the Regulations.
If Fingal Co. Council considers the Regulations are not being complied with, it will notify you of it’s refusal to issue a certificate and enforcement may pursue.


S.I. No. 199 of 2007 “Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds due to the use of Organic Solvents in Certain paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2007”

These Regulations apply to businesses that carry out vehicle refinishing as part of their operation.
All businesses under the Regulations must obtain a certificate of Approval, issued by Fingal Co. Council.
To obtain your Certificate of Approval, you must have an AIC review your operations and issue you with a compliant AIC report.  You must then register with Fingal Co. Council, submitting your AIC report, registration details and €50 fee.
Fingal Co. Council must issue you with a certificate of compliance within 14 days of receiving your report once it is satisfied that you are in compliance with the Regulations.
If Fingal Co. Council considers the Regulations are not being complied with, it will notify you of it’s refusal to issue a certificate and enforcement may pursue.
Certificates of Approval must be renewed every two years for vehicle refinishing facilities

It is illegal to operate a business that comes under the Regulations, without a certificate of Compliance/Approval.  Any individual who fails to comply with or contravenes these regulations may be prosecuted summarily, and be liable to a fine not exceeding €3000 or up to 12 months imprisonment, or both.


Further information on the Solvents Regulations is available from:

EPA’s solvents information webpage 
http://www.epa.ie/downloads/advice/air/solvents/
Best Practice Guidelines for Dry Cleaning

http://www.epa.ie/downloads/advice/air/deco%20paints/
Best Practice Guidelines for Vehicle Refinishing for Repair

INAB List of AICs
http://www.inab.ie/directoryofaccreditedbodies/inspectionbodiesaccreditedinspectioncontractorsaics  or contact Irish National Accreditation Board, 01-6073003

Department of the Environment website:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/AirQuality/VolatileOrganicCompounds