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Trainings
for the VOC-Directive in Slovenia, Bulgaria, Poland, Czech Republic
and Slovakia
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Commissioned by:
German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA)
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Carried out by:
Regional Environmental Center ( REC)
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In Cooperation with:
Ökopol - Institute for Environmental Strategies, Hamburg
Baltic Environmental Forum, (BEF) Riga
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Duration:
October 2004 - January 2006
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Background |
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Air pollution control is a major goal of
environmental policy. As a result of a high level of ground level
ozone ("summer smog") in Europe most European Countries
as well as the USA and Canada signed the "Gothenburg protocol"
in 1999. Among others it defines emission ceilings for the ozone precursors
(VOC, nitrogen oxides) for 2010, implemented by EU-Directive 2001/81/EC.
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In order to achieve these emission ceilings
the European Union enacted the so-called VOC Directive in 1999 ("Directive
1999/13/EG on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds
due to the use of organic solvents in certain activities and installations").
It lists 20 solvent using activities which fall under the scope of
the Directive if a certain solvents consumption threshold is exceeded:
e.g. printing, coating of wood/ metal/ paper/ fabrics, manufacturing
pharmaceutical products/ of coating preparations/ varnishes/ inks/
adhesives, surface cleaning, dry cleaning, vegetable oil extraction. |
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For new and substantially changed installations the
VOC Directive is already in force. Existing installations have to
fulfil the requirements up to 31.10. 2007. Accession countries like
Bulgaria and Rumania have also transposed the VOC Directive into national
law. |
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Objective and expected results |
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The co-operation project trains both authorities
and plant operators on the implementation of the national VOC legislation
in Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Czech Republic. |
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For this purpose REC organizes two trainings
in every state (Poland: four), in each case for the inspectorates
and for industry representatives. The workshops are developed and
carried out by Oekopol staff members. |
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The training confronts the participants with
case studies. Working groups have to find out possible solutions to
problems. With the Oekopol software "EBAL" (easy balancing
tool) participants prepare an exemplary solvent management plan and
a reduction plan which meets the requirements. |
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The project aims at enabling the participants
to fulfil the requirements of the VOC Directive and supporting them
to develop own strategies for emission reducing. Information exchange
of the actors supports co-operation and motivates to harmonise national
implementation and transformation. |
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Contact |
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Christian
Tebert |
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