Petroleum Vapour Emissions Regulations

Kilkenny County Council also has a role in relation to the monitoring of volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.’s) emissions at petrol stations under the following Legislation; 

Stage I Petrol Vapour Recovery

• Air Pollution Act (Petroleum Vapour Emissions) Regulations 1997. (S.I. No. 375 of 1997).

Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery

• European Union (Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery During Refuelling of Motor Vehicles at Service Stations) Regulations 2011. (S.I. No. 687 of 2011)

Petrol Vapour Recovery Requirements

If you are an owner/operator of a Retail and Kerbside Retail Store you are obliged to ensure that your facility is so designed and operated in accordance with the above Regulations

The objective of the regulations is to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the atmosphere from vehicle re-fuelling activities at service stations, in order to reduce the adverse impact of VOC on human health and the environment.

To meet the requirements of the regulations a Service Station owner/operator is obliged to appoint an approved assessor who will carry out tests on their petrol station and submit a report and fee to Kilkenny County Council. If the Authority is satisfied with the report it will issue a certificate of testing/certificates of installation in accordance with the above Regulations.

Certificates of testing (for Stage Ib and Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery) last a maximum of three years and need renewal on expiry. Certificates of Installation apply to new Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery Installations only.

Councils create and maintain a register of certified businesses operating within their area. This register is available for public viewing here. 

Application Forms

Approved Assessor Report/Application forms for Stage Ib and Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery be found here. 

Fees

Local Authorities charge a fee for licences under the above Regulations. The Fees charged are €63.50 for Certificates of Testing and Certificates of Installation respectively. Details are included in the “Guidance Notes for the Applicant” on the Application Form.