Legislation 

EU VOC Legislation

The first EU Legislation 1999/13/EC, "The Solvent Emissions Directive" (SED), set out the EU rules to limit solvent emissions from many industrial processes. The rules were appropriate for large-scale industrial processes, but did not work well in small-scale industries such as Refinish.

In recognition of this, EU has passed a Directive, 2004/42/CE, "The Paints Products Directive" (PPD), which governs solvent emissions from the vehicle repair facilities (and Decorative Paints).

The EU Directive 2004/42/CE removes vehicle repair facilities from the SED at EU level. The PPD has product-based VOC limits. There is now visibility of the VOC regime that will govern the EU until beyond 2010. The PPD has been active since 01/01/07.


SED vs PPD

Solvent Emissions Directive(SED)

• The onus is on the bodyshop to comply
• A number of ways may be used to achieve compliance (abatement systems; Solvent Reduction Plan). Note: Product-based VOC limits are not prescribed at EU level
• Only bodyshops above a certain threshold of solvent usage will be affected. The threshold depends on solvent use activity (e.g. Vehicle Refinish: 0.5 tonnes/year; LIC 5 tonnes/year)
• The user must keep records of VOC usage and prove that the activity is compliant
• Passed EU Parliament 11/03/99
• Active in all Member States (only since 2004 in some)  
• For bodyshops using the Reduction Scheme there are two stages:            For new or substantially changed premises:                                                   Stage 1, since 31/10/01; Stage 2, by 31/10/04                                              For existing premises:
  Stage 1 by 31/10/05; Stage 2 by 31/10/07