Air Quality and Solvents

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids.  VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have harmful effects on human health and the environment.

Sources of VOCs include vehicle emissions, fuel combustion and domestic solvent usage.  Other major sources of VOCs include business activities using organic solvents.

Regulations Governing VOC Emissions from Business Activities

• Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Organic Solvents Regulations 2002 (SI 543 of 2002) – known as “Solvent Regulations”
• Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds due to the Use of Organic Solvents in Certain Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2007 (SI 199 of 2007) – known as “Decorative Paints Regulations”

Who do the Solvent and Decorative Paints Regulations apply to?

1. Solvent Regulations – These regulations apply to solvent emissions from 20 specified activities which include Dry Cleaners and other companies that use solvents in their manufacturing or cleaning processes.
2. Decorative Paints Regulations – These regulations apply to businesses that carry out Vehicle Refinishing as part of their operation.

How to Register your Business

If your business is affected by the above regulations you are legally required to register with Sligo County Council as follows –

1. An inspection needs to be carried out by an Accredited Inspection Contractor (AIC) who must be selected from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established list, approved by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).  An up to date list of AICs may be obtained from the following website www.inab.ie.  The cost of the AIC inspection and report are to be paid for by the individual business.  Sligo County Council has no input in this inspection process.  The AIC Inspection Report will report on minor and major non compliances with the solvent regulations/decorative paint regulations.
2. You should then submit the following to Sligo County Council, Environment Section, Unit 9, Cleveragh Business Park, Sligo –
   • AIC Inspection Report
   • Signed Registration Form (available under downloads)
   • €50 Registration Fee

If Sligo County Council is satisfied with the AIC Inspection Report, a Certificate of Compliance/Certificate of Approval will be issued.

If Sligo County Council is not satisfied with the AIC Inspection Report, the business will be notified of its refusal to issue a Certificate of Compliance/Certificate of Approval and an enforcement notice will be issued.

Certificates of Compliance for Dry Cleaners and other solvent using businesses must be renewed yearly.  The following needs to be submitted to Sligo County Council on an annual basis –

1. AIC Inspection Report 
2. Signed Registration Form and 
3. €50 Registration Fee.

Certificates of Approval for Vehicle Refinishers must be renewed every two years.  The following needs to be submitted to Sligo County Council every two years –

1. AIC Inspection Report 
2. Signed Registration Form and 
3. €50 Registration Fee.

A Register of Compliant Facilities can be inspected at Environment Section, Unit 9, Cleveragh Business Park, Sligo

OR

Download list of  Registered Auto Bodyshops (PDF) - 8 kbs .
 

Further Information

For further details on the Regulations, threshold consumption values and definitions of activities please refer to the Regulations available on the EPA website at http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/advice/air/solvents/ and
http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/advice/air/decopaintsdirective/