{"id":12636,"date":"2026-03-03T12:12:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/?post_type=resources-filter&#038;p=12636"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:12:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:12:37","slug":"european-solvent-emissions-rules","status":"publish","type":"resources-filter","link":"https:\/\/amtivo.com\/ie\/resources\/news\/european-solvent-emissions-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Irish Businesses at Risk &#8211; European Solvent Emissions Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>From dry cleaners and vehicle refinishers to paint shops and industrial coaters, many businesses in Ireland may be operating\u202fin breach of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishstatutebook.ie\/eli\/2012\/si\/59\/made\/en\/print\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">European Union\u00a0Regulations 2012<\/a>,\u00a0often without realising it.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>These rules apply to activities that involve the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as paints, varnishes, adhesives, and cleaning products. If your solvent use exceeds certain thresholds, you are legally required to undergo an inspection by an EPA-approved assessor.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>Businesses that fall within scope must hold a valid\u00a0Certificate of Compliance, issued by the local authority based on the\u00a0approved\u00a0assessor\u2019s findings. Without this certificate, your business could face enforcement action or fines.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2>What\u00a0is\u00a0the European\u00a0Union Regulations 2012 Requirement?\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>The requirement affects businesses using products\u00a0containing\u00a0volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or solvents in everyday\u00a0operations.\u00a0This\u00a0applies under both Irish and EU environmental law.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2>Why\u00a0Were These\u00a0Rules Were Introduced?\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>The rules were introduced to achieve\u00a0two core environmental and public-health\u00a0objectives:<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>1. Reduce VOC Emissions to Protect the Environment and Health<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>VOCs are significant precursors to\u00a0ground-level\u00a0ozone formation, a key\u00a0component\u00a0of smog that damages vegetation, ecosystems, crops and contributes to poor air quality\u00a0impacting\u00a0human respiratory health.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Limiting solvent emissions helps reduce ambient VOC levels and related environmental impacts.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><strong>2. Harmonise Industrial Emission Control Across the EU<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Before the\u00a0Industrial Emissions Directive, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/dir\/1999\/13\/oj\/eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solvent Emissions Directive (1999\/13\/EC)<\/a>\u00a0provided a uniform approach across member states to limit emissions from solvent-using activities (e.g. printing, coating, cleaning).\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Under the\u00a0Industrial Emissions Directive, these controls were integrated into a broader framework for industrial emissions\u00a0that\u00a0applies Best Available Techniques\u00a0across\u00a0sectors to ensure consistent and high-standard environmental protection.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>What May Irish Operators Be Missing?\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>What many operators don\u2019t realise is that even routine solvent use can bring them within the scope of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EPA\u2019s<\/a> regulatory regime, and that\u00a0failing to undergo\u00a0an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.ie\/our-services\/compliance--enforcement\/air\/decorative-paints\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Approved Assessor inspection<\/a>\u00a0could result in non-compliance.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cMany businesses\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0realise the requirement applies to them, where solvent use is part of routine day-to-day operations, until\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0contacted by a local authority or flagged during another regulatory process.\u00a0Amtivo&#8217;s\u00a0role as an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.ie\/our-services\/compliance--enforcement\/air\/decorative-paints\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EPA-appointed Approved Assessor<\/a>\u00a0is to provide a clear, independent inspection that helps businesses understand their obligations and\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0compliance with confidence.\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Shane\u00a0Carroll,\u00a0Principal Environmental Consultant\u00a0at\u00a0Amtivo.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2>What Must Operators Now Do To Comply With European Solvent Emission Rules?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Operators must demonstrate that solvent use is properly controlled, that VOC thresholds are being met, and that purchase, usage, and waste records are kept up to date. Certificates are typically issued for a fixed period and must be renewed to remain valid.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2>How Could\u00a0Amtivo\u00a0Help\u00a0Your Business?\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>Amtivo\u00a0in Ireland has been appointed by the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EPA<\/a>\u00a0to carry out these solvent and VOC inspections. Our assessors\u00a0operate\u00a0independently under the Approved Assessor scheme, with inspections forming part of the evidence used by local authorities to\u00a0determine\u00a0compliance.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>Businesses can book an inspection through Amtivo\u2019s online portal, and multi-site operators can contact the team directly to coordinate assessments across locations.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>For more information and to request an inspection, visit our <a href=\"\/ie\/inspection-and-compliance-services\/approved-assessor-inspections\/\">Approved Assessor Inspections webpage<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What are the European Solvent Emission Rules, and what do they mean for Irish Businesses?","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":12574,"template":"","resource":[40],"resource-tag":[],"class_list":["post-12636","resources-filter","type-resources-filter","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resource-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Irish Businesses at Risk - European Solvent Emissions Rules<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What are the European Solvent Emission Rules, and what do they mean for Irish Businesses? 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