VOC solvent emissions directive to become European law

Citation

Bean, J. (1998), "VOC solvent emissions directive to become European law", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 27 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.1998.12927daa.002

VOC solvent emissions directive to become European law

VOC solvent emissions directive to become European law

Europe's Council of Environment Ministers has now reached a common position on the proposed volatile organic compounds (VOC) solvent emissions directive.

It is now expected to be ratified by the European Parliament without further significant changes and is likely to be adopted as European law towards the end of 1998. Member states will then have two years to implement the legislation nationally.

The European Solvents VOC Co-ordination Group (ES-VOC-CG), a cross industry forum representing solvent-using industries, manufacturers of products containing solvents and solvent producers, welcomed the agreement. As the ES-VOC-CG chairman explained: "We welcome the fact that legislators have considered the industry's viewpoint throughout the directive's development so that the proposals now contain more appropriate and achievable targets. Compliance will undoubtedly be challenging and costly for the 400,000 enterprises in 30 industry sectors affected by the proposals, but time and flexibility has been built in so that compliance should be achievable by 2100".

The proposed VOC solvent emissions directive is a component of the European Commission's air quality strategy which includes a range of proposed and adopted directives such as those within the auto oil programme and the integrated pollution prevention control (IPPC) directive. According to Dr Dobson: "There are overlapping requirements between the IPPC and the VOC solvent emissions directive, so it is encouraging that a flexible approach for national implementation has been agreed by the Council of Ministers".

As it currently stands, the proposed directive aims to cut VOC emissions from solvent-using installations by over 50 per cent by 2010 compared to 1990 levels. Approximately 24 per cent of VOCs come from solvents use. If VOCs mix with pollutants and sunlight they can form ground level ozone which contributes to summertime smog. However, a range of abatement techniques are available so that VOC emissions from solvent-using industries can be prevented from being released into the atmosphere. The directive therefore ensures that solvents which are vital to so many industries, including paints, can continue to be used safely and effectively.