Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have 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. This is because VOC releases can have negative impacts on human health and the environment.

The title of the latest Regulations is S.I. No. 357 of 2024 - European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2024. The regulations are also available as Gaeilge.

Businesses affected include:

• Vehicle refinishing companies which carry out original coating of road vehicles or trailers. (Please refer to relevant section on this site).
• Dry cleaners installations using solvents.

• Download compliance information leaflet for Dry Cleaners (PDF, 907KB)

The activities of small businesses are under the control of the local authorities. Activities using more than 10 tonnes per annum of solvents require an Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (IPPC) licence from the EPA.

(IPPC) licence from the EPA.

• View the list of certified installations (PDF, latest update October 2024)

Special Requirements for Dry Cleaners only

The EPA has appointed Approved Assessors to be the inspection bodies for carrying out inspections under the regulations. From 29^th September 2015 onwards the Approved Assessors for Dry Cleaning installations are:

New aspects of the regulations:

• View the S.I. No. 357 of 2024 - European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2024

• Cavan 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).

• Regardless of the duration of certificates, all operators are required to submit an annual self-assessment compliance report to Cavan County Council, commencing with a report for the year 2014 (to be submitted in 2015). 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 Cavan County Council is now €70 for new applications (but is €50 for renewals). 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 Will I Have to Do If These Regulations Apply to Me?

Dry Cleaning businesses should directly engage and pay either of the approved assessors for the purposes of getting their premises inspected. In order to obtain the certificate of compliance from Cavan County Council, the operator must send a compliant Approved Assessor report along with the application form (Print the dry cleaner application form (Word, 29 Kb) and appropriate fee (payable to Cavan County Council) to the following address:

Environment Section
17 Farnham Street
Cavan Town
County Cavan

Alternatively submission can be made electronically to environ@cavancoco.ie

Payment can be made by cash, cheque, draft, postal order, or credit / debit card for submissions made in person at the Customer Services Desk, 2nd Floor, Johnston Central Library, The Farnham Centre, Farnham Street, Cavan  or sent by post to Cavan County Council, Courthouse, Cavan, H12 R6V2. If you are making an online submission, payment is made by electronic means (credit/debit card) by phoning 049 4378661 / 049 4378662

Keeping Records – the Excel Spreadsheet

From the 1^st January 2014 you will have to start keeping records on a regular basis to help you generate the information you require. Please visit the EPA website for an example of the type of records that can be kept. 

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.

• View The Summary List (Word, 24kb)

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 31^st January each year, dry cleaners are required to supply Cavan County Council with data, enabling us 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.

• View the Annual Report Template (Word, 25kb)

Where Can I Find Best Practice Guidelines for Dry Cleaning?

• View the Best Practice Guidelines for Dry Cleaning