Legislative Changes 2013
The European Union (Paints, Varnishes, Vehicle Refinishing Products and Activities) Regulations 2012 S.I. No. 564 of 2012 - colloquially known as "The Deco Paints Regulations".http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2012/en/si/0564.html
These Regulations revoke and replace the previous Decorative Paints Regulations (i.e. S.I. No. 199 of 2007)
The European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2012. S.I. No. 565 of 2012.http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2012/en/si/0565.html
These Regulations revoke and replace the previous Solvents Regulations (i.e. S.I. No. 454 of 2002).
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/AirQuality/VolatileOrgan...
The above new Regulations in combination include some important revisions and improvements, especially in relation to the inspection and certification of different types of installations e.g. Car Sprayers and Dry Cleaners.
Some of the main changes contained in the new Regulations are:-
- The Accredited Inspections Contractor (AIC) scheme will end by 30th September 2013. A national panel of assessors will be appointed by the EPA. Until then there will be one interim assessor who will verify compliance with the new regulations prior to the formation of a national panel.
- Certificates may now be issued for up to a period of 3 years. Operators who held a current Certificate on 31 Dec 2012, and who renew 28 days prior to the expiration of their current certificate may be given an extended period of validity to Sept 2016.
- Shorter durations may be issued by Tipperary County Council if there are concerns over an individual installation, or if there is a history of non-compliance, etc.
- Operators will be required to submit information annually to Tipperary County Council in order to maintain the validity of their Certificate of Compliance.
This information will be confirmed by the EPA in the coming months.
- Fees have changed.
- New applications: €70
- Renewal applications: €50
- Where an application for a renewal is not submitted prior to the expiration of the Certificate of Compliance, the subsequent application will then be considered as a ‘New’ application and therefore, will be subject to the higher fee.
- The fine for uncertified operators is now increased to €5,000 (from €3,000), or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
The Regulations
European Union (Paints, Varnishes, Vehicle Refinishing Products and Activities) Regulations 2012 - S.I. No. 564 of 2012 –‘Deco Paints’
The European Union (Paints, Varnishes, Vehicle Refinishing Products and Activities) Regulations 2012 S.I. No. 564 of 2012 known as the Paints Regulations, are enforced by the Environmental Section of Tipperary County Council. The Regulations apply to all businesses engaged in the process of Vehicle Refinishing i.e. car spraying.http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/AirQuality/VolatileOrgan...
General Deco-Paints Procedures
Inspections of vehicle refinishing premises are carried out by an Approved Assessor who will issue a report. The business must then forward the Approved Assessor’s inspection report, and appropriate fee of either €70 or €50 as detailed above, to Tipperary County Council.
The premises may then be visited by an Environmental Officer so as to inspect the premises/operation and to go through the report findings with the owner/ operator. If the Environmental Officer is satisfied with the Approved Assessor’s report and follow-up, a Certificate of Compliance is issued under the Regulations. The Certificate may be issued with respect to a period of up to 3 years and will be dated from the date-of-issue of the Approved Assessor’s report in the case of new applications, or from the expiry date of the previous Certificate of Compliance in the case of renewals.
Current Certificates that are renewed prior to their expiry date may be given a Certificate of validity up to September 2016.
It is illegal to operate a business, which is subject to these Regulations, without a valid Certificate of Compliance. Any individual who fails to comply with or, contravenes these Regulations may be prosecuted summarily, and be liable to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or up to 6 months imprisonment, or both.
Note: The onus is placed on the business/trader to secure the services of an Approved Assessor and to pay for the inspection and report.
European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2012 - S.I. 565 of 2012.
The European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2012 S.I. 565 of 2012 known as the VOC Regulations are enforced by the Environmental Section of Tipperary County Council. The Regulations apply to a large variety of industry types, e.g.
- Dry cleaners
- Companies involved in sheet metal work
- Manufacturers of metal gates and fencing
- Electronics manufacturing
- Medical device manufacture etc.
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/AirQuality/VolatileOrgan...
General VOC Procedures
Inspections of VOC premises are carried out by an Approved Assessor who will issue a report. The business must then forward the Approved Assessor’s inspection report, and appropriate fee of either €70 or €50 as detailed above, to Tipperary County Council. The premises may then be visited by an Environmental Officer so as to inspect the premises/operation and to go through the report findings with the owner/ operator. If the Environmental Officer is satisfied with the Approved Assessor’s report and follow-up, a Certificate of Compliance is issued under the Regulations. The Certificate may be issued with respect to a period of up to 3 years and will be dated from the date-of-issue of the Approved Assessor’s report in the case of new applications, or from the expiry date of the previous Certificate of Compliance in the case of renewals.
Current Certificates that are renewed prior to their expiry date may be given a Certificate of validity up to September 2016.
It is illegal to operate a business, which is subject to these Regulations, without a valid Certificate of Compliance.
If you wish to make an application for a Certificate of Compliance, please click below to download application form for Dry Cleaners.
Note: The onus is placed on the business/trader to secure the services of an Approved Assessor and to pay for the inspection and report.
Public Information:
The reports submitted by the Appropriate Assessors and the Certificate of Compliance or notification of non-compliance are recorded in REGISTERs open to the public i.e:-
Further Information:
Further information regarding complying with the Regulations and guidance documentation can be found by clicking on the links below:
General (EPA) Info – Deco Paints
Best Practice Guide - Dry Cleaners 2013
