National PCB Inventory & PCB Management Plan

What are PCB's

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of hazardous, man-made substances.

Why are Polychlorinated biphenyls harmful?

PCBs are extremely harmful to the environment and at higher levels, human health. They can exist for long periods of time as they don’t break down quickly. PCBs can bioaccumulate (build up in fatty tissues) especially at the top of the food chain.

Where are PCBs found?

PCBs may occur in older electrical equipment such as transformers, capacitors and fluorescent lighting ballasts.

What is being done about the use of PCBs?

PCBs are classed as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) which are covered by the Stockholm convention. This means the production, import, supply and use of PCBs are prohibited.
Prior to 31 December 2010 any equipment containing more than 5 litres of PCB-contaminated materials with a total PCB concentration of greater than 0.05% w/w was required to be disposed of or decontaminated in an environmentally sound manner (as per EC 96/59/EC).
The Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Annex 1, Part A) requires that holders of PCBs should remove from use equipment containing more than 0.005% by weight PCBs and volumes greater than 0.05dm3 (0.05 litres) by 31st December 2025.

Please note that all holders of PCBs, used PCBs, or PCB-contaminated equipment containing aggregate volumes of greater than 5 litres of PCB-contaminated materials with total PCB concentrations greater than 0.005% w/w are legally obliged to notify the EPA of these holdings by the 1st of September each year.

How do I notify the EPA about PCB contaminated materials?

To assist holders of PCB-contaminated materials and/or equipment in notifying the EPA of such holdings, a PCB Online Notification system is available. Please see below for instructions on the use of the system.
If you become aware of equipment that could or does contain PCBs, please contact the EPA at pcbs@epa.ie.

An updated PCB Management Plan, incorporating a code of practice for the in-use management of PCBs and PCB containing equipment was published in 2008 together with a national inventory of confirmed PCB holdings and suspect PCB holdings (i.e. equipment that could contain PCBs but for which no confirmatory testing has been carried out). The EPA maintains this inventory based on information obtained from site surveys and notifications from holders of PCBs.