The Control of Volatile Organic Compounds (Petrol Vapour Recovery) (Scotland) Regulations 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement the derogation allowed by Article 6 (4) of Council Directive 94/63/EC of 20th December 1994 on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations (O.J. L 365, 31.12.1994, p.24) (“the Directive”). Article 6(4) of the Directive enables Member States to exempt from the requirements of Article 6(1) of the Directive those service stations with an annual throughput of less than 500m_.

The Directive requires loading and storage equipment at petrol stations to be designed and operated in accordance with the technical provisions of Annex III of the Directive. The requirements of the Directive have been implemented by, and are enforced under either the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations 1991 (S.I. No. 472) (“the 1991 Regulations) and the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances etc.) (Amendment) (Petrol Vapour Recovery) Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 2678) (“the 1996 Regulations”), or the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.S.I 2000/323) (“the 2000 Regulations”).

Regulation 2 amends the 1991 Regulations so as to exempt from the requirements of these Regulations relating to Part B processes, those service stations with an annual throughput of less than 500m_. It also removes the definition of “exempt service station”. This definition had the effect of exempting from the requirements of these Regulations those service stations with an annual throughput of less than 500m_, which were situated in certain geographical areas, and which were not in operation, or for the construction of which planning permission was not granted before 31st December 1995.

Regulation 3 amends the definition of “prescribed date” in paragraph 4(1)(c)(iii) of the Schedule to the 1996 Regulations to reflect the fact that petrol stations with a throughput less than 500m3 will no longer constitute a Part B process under the 1991 Regulations and therefore will no longer require to be authorised.

Regulation 4 amends the 2000 Regulations so as to exempt from the requirements of these Regulations relating to Part B processes, those service stations with an annual throughput of less than 500m_. It also removes the reference to the definition of “exempt service station” in the 1991 Regulations (see Regulation 2 above on the definition of “exempt service station”).

These Regulations apply to Scotland only.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment covering these regulations is available from Air, Climate and Engineering Division, Scottish Executive Environment and Rural affairs Department (SEERAD), Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.