Under the legislation, facilities emitting VOCs are divided into three tiers depending on the amounts used. In the case of boatyards, Tier 1 is yards using below a total of five tonnes of solvent per year. Tier 2 is yards using between a total of five and 15 tonnes per year and Tier 3 is yards using above a total of 15 tonnes per year.

Yards using less than five tonnes need take no action. Yards in either the second or third tier, however, will have to reduce solvent use, register with local environmental authorities and comply with restrictions on the amount of solvent that can be emitted.

From the end of October this year, new reduced VOC emission targets apply to EU boatyards. In the second tier, VOC emissions must not exceed 37% by weight of the total weight of wet paint applied in the yard. In the third tier, VOC emissions must be reduced to 27%.

An alternative to reducing solvent use is for yards to take all coating operations indoors, then vent and remove VOC emissions from waste gases before release into the atmosphere. In most cases this option is seen as unrealistic practically or economically.

Yards failing to work within these restrictions face fines up to €2,500 a week, plus temporary shutdown and revocation of any environmental permits.

A seminar on the ramifications of this directive is to be held at METS on Wednesday November 14 in Meeting Room E from 14.30 to 15.30.

● See the November issue of Boating Business for a full METS Preview