Air quality – Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

What are 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.

What regulations are in place governing VOC emissions from business activities?

There are two sets of regulations in place to control VOC emissions from businesses as follows:

1. European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2012 (SI 565 of 2012). These have replaced the Emmission of Volatile Organic Compounds from  Organic Solvents Regulations 2002 (SI543 of 2002). These are known as the "Solvents Regulations".
2. European Union (Paints, Varnishes, Vehicle Refinishing Products and Activities) Regulations 2012 (SI 564 of 2012). These have replaced the 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).These are known as the "Decorative Paints Regulations".

Who do the solvents regulations and the decorative paint regulations apply to?

• Solvents regulations - These oversee the emission of solvent emissions from 20 specified activities which include dry cleaners and other companies that use solvents in their manufacturing or cleaning processes.
• Decorative Paints Regulations - These regulations apply to businesses that carry out vehicle refinishing as part of their operation.

How do I register as a compliant facility?

If your business is affected by the above regulations you are legally required to register with Clare County Council. To register the following steps (1-4) are required to be undertaken by the individual facility:

Step 1: A site inspection by an approved assessor

• The details of the panel of Approved Assessors are as follows:
• EnviroGuide Consulting – Phone: (01) 5654730 – Web: www.enviroguide.ie
• The cost of the inspection and the Approved Assessor (AA) inspection report are to be paid for by the individual business. Clare County Council has no input in this inspection process.
• The AA report will report on minor and major non compliances with the solvents regulations / decorative paint regulations.
• The cost of the inspection and the Approved Assessor (AA) inspection report are to be paid for by the individual business. Clare County Council has no input in this inspection process.
• The AA report will report on minor and major non compliances with the solvents regulations / decorative paint regulations.

Step 2: Submit the following to the Environment section, Clare County Council:

1. Approved Assessor (AA) inspection report
2. Completed and signed registration form
   • Dry cleaner/solvents regulations registration form [PDF, 208KB]
   • Vehicle refinisher registration form [PDF, 191KB]
3. Registration fee
   • The registration fee for a new /initial application for a Certificate of Compliance is €70.00
   • The registration fee for the renewal of an expired Certificate of Compliance is €70.00
   • The registration fee for the renewal of a Certificate of Compliance prior to its expiry date is €50.00

Step 3: Obtain a certificate of compliance

Where Clare County Council is satisfied with the Approved Assessor (AA) inspection report a Certificate of Compliance is issued by Clare County Council.

If Clare County Council is not satisfied with the AIC inspection report the business will be notified of its refusal to issue a certificate of compliance and an enforcement notice will be issued.

Step 4: Renewal of the certificate of compliance

Repeat Step 1 to Step 3. Application for the renewal of the Certificate of Compliance should be made 28 days prior to the expiry date of the Certificate of Compliance.

EPA best practice guidelines and other information

• Decorative Paints Regulations - EPA
• Best practice guidelines for vehicle refinishers

Further information

• Department of Environment website
• EPA website
• Vehicle refinisher garage information