Environmental regulations regarding use of solvents
Do you use or release solvents (volatile organic compounds) in your industrial business activities? If so, you must comply with environmental regulations. If your business consumes or emits more than is allowed, you must report this.
What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
Some industrial activities release volatile organic compounds (VOCs, in Dutch) that harm the environment. If this is the case for your business, then you must comply with the environmental regulations on solvent consumption. Examples of activities where VOCs can be released include:
- impregnating wood
- chemical cleaning
- manufacturing footwear
- laminating wood or plastic
- manufacturing medicines
- wood coating processes
- making coating blends
- rubber processing
Report via the Omgevingsloket
You must comply with threshold values for consumption and emissions (in Dutch). These values are set out in Section 4 of the Environmental Activities Decree (Bal). Are your use and emissions higher than allowed? Then you must report this 4 weeks in advance via the Environment and Planning Portal, Omgevingsloket (in Dutch).
Solvent management plan
Does your use of VOCs as solvents (in Dutch) exceed 1 or more of the lower thresholds (in Dutch)? Then your business is considered a solvent plant. You must take measures to minimise emissions. You must also prepare a solvent management plan. This plan sets out the use of solvents in your business. You must also indicate the concentration of hazardous substances releasing volatile organic compounds (substances with hazard codes, GHS hazard statements, H-stoffen). This allows you to prove that you comply with the rules.
You must draw up a separate plan for each activity. If you do this for each calendar year, it is also useful for the annual environmental PRTR report.
Reduction programme for GHS hazard statements
Several activities have reduction programmes for hazardous substances that release volatile organic compounds (GHS hazard statements, in Dutch), such as:
- coating wood
- different printing methods in the printing sector
- coating and repainting vehicles
- adhesive coating
You should check whether you can work with other, harmless or less harmful substances or products. Is this not technically feasible? Then you can apply for an exemption or dispensation (in Dutch) from the Netherlands Labour Authority.
Rules for paints and varnishes
Do you market decorative paints and varnishes, or products for vehicle refinishing? If so, you must comply with the requirements of EU Paints Directive, which has been transposed into Dutch law as the Organic Solvents in Paints and Varnishes Environmental Management Decree (BOOVV). The EU Paints Directive contains rules on the technical specifications of volatile organic compounds and rules for labelling these products.
Do you want to supply paints and varnishes that do not comply with the technical specifications for volatile organic compounds? And are these paints and varnishes for the restoration and maintenance of protected monuments or classic vehicles? If so, you can apply for an exemption (in Dutch) to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW).
Reporting via Message Box
Message Box has not yet been linked to the Omgevingsloket. This means that you cannot report VOC data via Message Box. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you as an entrepreneur to exchange digital messages with Dutch government agencies.