New regulations, required by EU directive, controlling potentially harmful air pollutants emitted in petrol vapours in storage facilities and at service stations have been introduced by the Department of the Environment.
The regulations, required by EU directive, will increase costs for oil companies and petrol retailers as they will be subject to stringent emission controls, with the possibility that some or all of the costs may be passed on to consumers.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted during storage, loading and unloading of petrol and pose a potential threat to the environment. Under the regulations, terminals storing and loading petrol must be designed, maintained and operated to meet the controls.