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Air quality – Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have harmful effects on our health and the environment. 

What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have harmful effects on human health and the environment.

Sources of VOCs include vehicle emissions, fuel combustion and domestic solvent usage. Other major sources of VOCs include business activities using organic solvents.

What regulations are in place governing VOC emissions from business activities?

There are two sets of regulations in place to control VOC emissions from businesses as follows:

  1. European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2012 (SI 565 of 2012). These have replaced the Emmission of Volatile Organic Compounds from  Organic Solvents Regulations 2002 (SI543 of 2002). These are known as the "Solvents Regulations".
  2. European Union (Paints, Varnishes, Vehicle Refinishing Products and Activities) Regulations 2012 (SI 564 of 2012). These have replaced the Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds due to the use of Organic Solvents in certain Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2007 (SI 199 of 2007).These are known as the "Decorative Paints Regulations".

Who do the solvents regulations and the decorative paint regulations apply to?

  • Solvents regulations - These oversee the emission of solvent emissions from 20 specified activities which include dry cleaners and other companies that use solvents in their manufacturing or cleaning processes.
  • Decorative Paints Regulations - These regulations apply to businesses that carry out vehicle refinishing as part of their operation.

How do I register as a compliant facility?

If your business is affected by the above regulations you are legally required to register with Clare County Council. To register the following steps (1-4) are required to be undertaken by the individual facility:

Step 1: A site inspection by an approved assessor

  • The details of the panel of Approved Assessors are as follows:
  • EnviroGuide Consulting – Phone: (01) 5654730 – Web: www.enviroguide.ie
  • The cost of the inspection and the Approved Assessor (AA) inspection report are to be paid for by the individual business. Clare County Council has no input in this inspection process.
  • The AA report will report on minor and major non compliances with the solvents regulations / decorative paint regulations.
  • The cost of the inspection and the Approved Assessor (AA) inspection report are to be paid for by the individual business. Clare County Council has no input in this inspection process.
  • The AA report will report on minor and major non compliances with the solvents regulations / decorative paint regulations.

Step 2: Submit the following to the Environment section, Clare County Council:

  1. Approved Assessor (AA) inspection report
  2. Completed and signed registration form
  3. Registration fee
    • The registration fee for a new /initial application for a Certificate of Compliance is €70.00
    • The registration fee for the renewal of an expired Certificate of Compliance is €70.00
    • The registration fee for the renewal of a Certificate of Compliance prior to its expiry date is €50.00

Step 3: Obtain a certificate of compliance

Where Clare County Council is satisfied with the Approved Assessor (AA) inspection report a Certificate of Compliance is issued by Clare County Council.

If Clare County Council is not satisfied with the AIC inspection report the business will be notified of its refusal to issue a certificate of compliance and an enforcement notice will be issued.

Step 4: Renewal of the certificate of compliance

Repeat Step 1 to Step 3. Application for the renewal of the Certificate of Compliance should be made 28 days prior to the expiry date of the Certificate of Compliance.

Register of compliant facilities under European Union (Installations and Activities Using Organic Solvents) Regulations (S.I. No 565 if 2012)
Register Number Company Name Address Expiry Date
003/2022/VOC/CE T & J Dry Cleaners Unit 4 Cornmarket Street,
Ennis
28/10/2025
002/2022/VOC/CE Kath Cleaners Circular Rd,
Ennistymon
14/10/2025
001/2023/VOC/CE West Clare Dry Cleaners The Square, 
Kilrush
14/12/2025
002/2023/VOC/CE Fergus Dry Cleaners Parnell St Car Park,
Ennis
14/12/2025
004/2022/VOC/CE TRM Drycleaners Ltd,
T/A Lifford Laundry & Dry Cleaners
Unit 7,
Gort Rd Industrial Estate,
Ennis
28/10/2024
001/2021/VOC/CE Drumgeely Laundrette &
Dry Cleaning Ltd
Cedar Hse,
Drumgeely,
Shannon
11/07/2022
001/2022/VOC/CE Rainbow Cleaning Services Unit 8B,
Westgate Business Park,
Kilrush Rd,
Ennis
31/10/2024

Register of compliant facilities under European Union (Paints, Varnishes, Vehicle Refinishing Products and Activities) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 564 of 2012)
Register Number Company Name Contact Address Telephone Expiry

004/2020/Deco/CE

Brendan Treacy Crash Repair

Brendan Treacy

Castlebank,
Ardnacrusha.

(086) 24233766

03/04/2023

002/2023/Deco/CE

Autobody Repairs

Adrian & Cathy Howard

Unit 2&3,
Clare Marts
Quin Road
Ennis

(065) 6867765

13/03/2026

002/2020/Deco/CE

Prestige Motors

Liam Hickey

Unit 1J,
Doora Industrial Estate
Quin Rd
Ennis

(065) 6844077

01/03/2023

005/2020/Deco/CE

Perfect Accident Repair Centre
(T/A PARC)

Colin Ryan

Unit 5&6, Block F,
Quin Rd Business Park,
Quin Rd,
Ennis.

(065)6868444

02/09/2023

008/2020/Deco/CE

BC Bodyworks

Greg Clune & 
Oisin Brooks

Kilrush Road,
Ennis

(085) 8316671

28/11/2023

001/2023/Deco/CE

Smart Cars

Vigantas Blazarenas & 
Richardo Kiseltasuskas

Clonlohan,
Newmarket on Fergus,

(086) 2599484

01/03/2025

003/2018/Deco/CE

Linnane's Garage

Tommy Linnane

Moyasta,
Kilrush

(065) 9052159

12/06/2021

006/2020/Deco/CE

Ballycoree Ltd, T/A Hogan Motors

Paul Hogan

Gort Rd,
Ennis

(065) 6821704

02/08/2022

001/2022/Deco/CE

Declan Lillis Crash Repair

Declan Lillis

Alva,
Cree,
Kilrush

(086) 8706251

08/04/2025

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Page last reviewed: 24/04/23

Content managed by: Roads, Environment and Water Services Department

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