Products, Classifications and Consumption Limits:

Trichloroethylene, classified R45 Category 2 Carcinogen - ‘High Risk, May Cause Cancer’ - Consumption limit <1 tonne/685 litres per annum

Methylene Chloride, classified R40 - ‘Risk of possible Irreversible Effects’ - Consumption limit <1 tonne/752 litres per annum

Perchloroethylene, classified R40 - ‘Risk of possible Irreversible Effects’ - Consumption limit <1 tonne/617 litres per annum

n-Propyl Bromide, classified R20 - ‘Harmful by Inhalation’ - Consumption limit
<2 tonnes/1,504 litres per annum

Requirements for Trichloroethylene under COSHH:

Substitution with an alternative cleaning process is required in the ‘shortest possible time’, or, if this is not possible due to unacceptable cost or quality implications, users must apply for a permit from the Environmental Agency to comply with or become exempt from the above SED regulations.

For the continued use of VOC’s the SED sets out strict emission limits:

Trichloroethylene: mass flow >10g/hr, limit 2mg/Nm³

Methylene Chloride/Perchloroethylene: mass flow >100g/hr, limit 20mg/Nm³

n-Propyl Bromide: mass flow >100g/hr, limit 75mg/Nm³

New solvent cleaning activities and new equipment will have to meet these requirements straightaway. Existing facilities must comply from 31 October 2007.

The above solvents are also pollutants and must not be discharged to groundwater, in accordance with the Groundwater Directive/Regulations 1998.

The above is provided for guidance only. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure understanding and compliance with the regulations. Users should contact the following government agencies for detailed information and advice: www.hse.gov.uk, www.environment-agency.gov.uk, www.defra.gov.uk, www.envirowise.gov.uk Alternatively, convert to aqueous cleaning with MecWash systems and obtain all the benefits that solvent cleaning has to offer, but without the dangers!