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Project title

Study addressing priority areas necessary for the implementation of the Solvents Emissions Directive in Ireland

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Clean Technology Centre (CTC)

Lead Applicant

Eileen O'Leary

Project Abstract

Organic solvents are used in many industrial processes and owing to their volatility they areemitted either directly or indirectly into the air. Such solvents can also inadvertently bereleased to sewers/waters or onto ground.Many organic compounds are directly harmful to human health or to the environment.Also once released to the atmosphere organic solvents undergo a series of complex reactionsresulting in the formation of tropospheric (low-level) ozone an air pollutant. Elevatedconcentrations of ozone in air can impair human health (particularly vulnerable people such asthe elderly and those with chronic disease) and can damage some building materials forestsvegetation and crops. Ozone is also a greenhouse gas.Pollution by tropospheric (or low-level) ozone is a widespread and chronic problem within theEuropean Community. Data submitted by the Member States to the European Commissionindicate that during the summer months the threshold level for the protection of human healthis exceeded in all the Member States and that in urban environments in excess of 40 millionpeople are estimated to be exposed to potentially harmful concentrations of this aggressivepollutant.A European Directive1 on solvent emissions has been issued to address these harmful effectson human health and the environment. The Directive has been brought into effect in Irelandthrough Regulations published in November 20022. There are many different types ofbusinesses that will be affected by the implementation of the Regulations from dry cleaners topharmaceutical manufacture.The Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licensing system operated by the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) will implement the solvent emissions Directive for the largercompanies that are scheduled activities under the EPA Act 1992. However the solventemissions Directive also covers certain non-IPC sectors (for example cleaning the surfaces ofproducts) as well as companies which operate below the thresholds specified for IPC (forexample use of coating materials below 10 tonnes per annum).The 2002 Regulations set out the requirements for non-IPC installations which includeregistration with their local authority and obtaining a certificate of compliance. Registrationinvolves submission to the local authority of a report by an Accredited Inspection Contractor.An Accredited Inspection Contractor (AIC) requires approval from the Irish NationalAccreditation Board (INAB).Along with Best Practice Guidelines being developed by the EPA for a number of affectedsectors this Protocol provides guidance to both AICs and operators on the practicalrequirements for compliance with the Regulations and the European Directive on solvents.This protocol sets out the procedure that is recommended for use by Accredited InspectionContractors in conducting site inspections and preparing AIC reports as well as a template forthe format and content of the AIC report itself. The actual 2002 Regulations are included asan Appendix to the procedure.A plain guide to the 2002 Regulations and the operation of the accredited inspection contractor(AIC) system for operators of installations that come under the system is available separate tothis Protocol.1

Grant Approved

�11,071.50

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Environment and Human Health

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a