Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from certain products or processes. Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer and other health impacts. In addition, some can react with other gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air which can have both short and long-term adverse health effects. Regulations are in force to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment, especially through controlling, preventing and reducing emissions to air thereby reducing negative impacts on human health and the environment.

The regulation relevant to Volatile Organic Compounds is S.I. No. 565 of 2012 – European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2012.

Businesses affected include Dry cleaning facilities which use solvents and these installations must be certified under the regulations. The EPA has prepared an information leaflet to inform Dry cleaning operators of their obligations under the regulations which can be found at the following link:

The activities of small businesses are under the control of the local authorities under the VOC regulations whilst other installations which use in excess of 10 tonnes per annum of solvents require an Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (IPPC) licence issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency has appointed Enviroguide Consulting as Approved Assessors for carrying out inspections under the regulations. The contact details for Enviroguide are as follows:

Enviroguide Consulting
3D Core C
Block 71
The Plaza
Park West
D12F9TN

Phone: 01 5654730

Email: aa@enviroguide.ie

Website: www.enviroguide.ie

Dry Cleaning businesses should directly engage with the Approved assessor to arrange an inspection of their premises.  To obtain a certificate of compliance from Monaghan County Council, the operator of the dry cleaning installation must send a compliant Approved Assessor report along with a completed application form fee payable to Monaghan County Council to the address below.

 

Environmental Services, Monaghan County Council , Civic Centre, Riverside Road, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan., A81 RY22

 

Aspects of the regulations:

  • Monaghan County Council can now issue certificates of compliance for up to a 3 year period. However, certificates of a shorter duration may be issued if there are concerns about a specific installation (including failure to renew certificates in time).
  • All operators are required to submit an annual self-assessment compliance report to Monaghan County Council. Templates for these reports will be issued to operators in advance of the reporting period. If an operator fails to submit a self-assessment annual report they may not be allowed to renew their certificate until such time as any outstanding reports are submitted.
  • The application fee payable by operators to Monaghan County Council is now €70 for new applications, For renewals of existing Certificates the cost is €50. If an operator does not renew their certificate of compliance 28 days prior to its expiry date, they must then apply for a new certificate.
  • The fine for uncertified operators is now €5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
  • A copy of your certificate of compliance must be displayed in a prominent position at your premises.

 

What are your obligations as an Operator ?

Record keeping

Operators are required to keep records on a regular basis to help you generate the information you require. These record sheets can be maintained on computer or filled in on paper. These record sheets contain all the record keeping you will need to show compliance or otherwise with the emission limit value(ELV). Appendix 3 of the Best Practice Guidelines for Dry Cleaning gives a summary list of the information you will have to obtain and keep on record.

Link to record spreadsheet: https://www.epa.ie/publications/compliance–enforcement/air/solvents-and-decorative-paints/records-spreadsheet-for-dry-cleaners.php

 

Within this set of records, there is a weekly record sheet which should be filled on an on-going basis by hand, regardless as to whether the overall records will be kept on computer or on paper. The best place to keep this weekly record sheet is attached to the machine itself (or on each machine where there is more than one in operation). The other summary record sheets can be filled in by hand or on computer on an on-going basis. You can modify these sample record sheets to suit your own requirements.

Self-assessment annual report

By the 31st January each year, dry cleaners are required to supply Monaghan County Council with information and data to allow the Council to verify the compliance of the installation during the previous calendar year. A report template  has been provided to allow you carry out this requirement. You are required to report your total emission value for your installation for comparison with the Total Limit Emission. If you fail to submit a self-assessment annual report you may not be allowed to renew your certificate until such time as any outstanding reports are submitted.

Where Can I Find Best Practice Guidelines for Dry Cleaning?