The Solvent Emissions Directive is now applicable to all drycleaners, whether new or exisitng, and is being enforced by Local Health Authorities in the UK and penalties for not conforming can be severe. However, complying is very simple as long as you install the correct machinery and carry out a work method that respects the regulation's simple requirements.
At Renzacci UK Plc, we can help you with all aspects of conforming to the Solvent Emissions Directive, whether it be helping to complete the Permit to Operate application form, advise on whether your existing drycleaning machine will comply with the Directive or for general information. If you have not applied for a Permit to Operate and you are operating a drycleaning machine, then you are operating illegally - please APPLY NOW!
Please do note the following which is taken directly from the DEFRA July 2006 SED Update:
"The bottom line is that it is the responsibility of individual dry cleaners to make an application, irrespective of whether there is proactive support from the local authority. In law, any dry cleaner who does not apply for a permit by 31st October 2006 will risk prosecution (for information, the maximum penalty a Magistrate can impose for operating a listed activity such as dry cleaning without a permit is £20,000 per offence or imprisonment for up to 6 months). The business must apply whether or not they are reminded or helped by local authorities."
As a note of caution for new start drycleaners, we have become aware of some unscrupulous dealers in drycleaning machines supplying machines that do not conform to the requirements of the SED. Please ensure that your supplier is fully aware of the implications of the SED.
As a brief guide you will require the following (For SCOTLAND CLICK HERE!!):
NEW START DRYCLEANERS (Installed after 19th May 2005):
- Your drycleaning machine will have to meet the requirements of the Solvent Emissions Directive, Guidance Notes 6(46)/11 including having a Second Water separator, door opening interlocks etc. See this example of a compliant machine.
- You will have to apply for a Permit to Operate from your Local Council prior to operating the drycleaning machine.
- You will have to store any spare solvent in a solvent proof tray that has a capacity of 110% of the total amount stored.
- You will have to keep records of load weights, solvent consumption and receipts of disposal of the waste produced from the drycleaning machine.
EXISTING DRYCLEANERS (drycleaning machine installed before 1st April 2000):
- You must ensure that by the 31st October 2006, your drycleaning machine is capable of producing; at least 80kg of work for 1 litre of Perchloroethylene used, or at least 48.5kg of work for every 1 litre of solvent used for Hydrocarbon or Green Earth drycleaning machines.
- You must have applied for a Permit to Operate prior to the 31st October 2006 in order to comply with the legislation by 31st October 2007.
- You will have to keep records of load weights, solvent consumption and receipts of disposal of the waste produced from the drycleaning machine.
- Self Service drycleaning machines such as coin operated drycleaning machines installed in launderettes have been banned from operating after the 31st October 2007.
FEBRUARY 2011 UPDATE: The SED PG Notes have now been updated and can be found here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/pollution/ppc/localauth/pubs/guidance/notes/pgnotes/documents/pg6-46-11.pdf . These new guidelines lower the allowances currently in place for the disposal of waste and also are likely to clarify some ambiguities exsiting in the previous guidelines. SLEAT, the TSA and other such interested organisations have been very active in consulting with DEFRA about the changes.
As a note, being a responsible supplier, Renzacci UK Plc will not sell any used drycleaning machines (unless it conforms fully to the SED requirements).
You might also consider joining the TSA (Textile Services Association) who have liased with DEFRA very closely in the drawing up of the SED and also have produced some very useful information for Drycleaners on how to comply with the SED.
