Air

Whilst many major industrial activities will require an Industrial Emissions licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there are certain industrial activities which do not come under the remit of EPA licencing, but which may require an Air Emissions Licence from the local authority under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, (Licensing of Industrial Plant) Regulations, 1988. 

Each licensed site is audited annually to ensure compliance with licence conditions such as emission limits.   

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the processing of Air Pollution Act licence appeals. For further information in relation to these appeals, please refer to the following link: - http://www.epa.ie/licensing/air/actappeals/   

A copy of our current Air Licence Application Form is available on request.  

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from certain products or processes. Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer and other health impacts.   In addition, some can react with other gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air which can have both short and long-term adverse health effects.     

Regulations are in force to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment, especially through controlling, preventing and reducing emissions to air thereby reducing negative impacts on human health and the environment. The regulation relevant to Volatile Organic Compounds is S.I. No. 565 of 2012 – European Union (Installations and Activities using Organic Solvents) Regulations 2012. 

Businesses affected include Dry cleaning facilities which use solvents, and these installations must be certified under the regulations.   Other affected businesses include printers, surface coaters, and pharmaceutical companies. These businesses are required to apply for an Organic Solvents Vapour Emissions Certificate. This certificate ensures that the business complies with regulations limiting the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which will reduce health risks and environmental impact.  

Best Practice Guidelines for Dry Cleaning are available to help these businesses understand and implement the necessary measures to control and reduce VOC emissions.  

For more detailed information on solvents and related regulations, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website is a valuable resource. They offer technical overviews, regulatory definitions, and classifications of VOCs.   

Galway County Council has the authority to impose penalties on businesses that are not registered or fail to comply with the regulations. These measures are in place to encourage all solvent-using businesses to follow the Best Practice Guidelines for Dry Cleaning and other relevant regulations. It reduces the impact of their operations on the environment.  

For the current list of compliant businesses and installations in County Galway: 

Register of Dry Cleaners & Installations.pdf 

Dry Cleaners Information Leaflet 2025.pdf 

The European Union (Paints, Varnishes, Vehicle Refinishing Products and Activities) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No 564 of 2012) limit the total content of volatile organic compounds in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products.    This is to prevent or reduce air pollution resulting from the contribution of volatile organic compounds to the formation of tropospheric ozone.  

Vehicle refinishers, motor factors and paint suppliers are the main sectors that are subject to these Regulations.   Businesses who carry out spray painting and vehicle refinishing must apply to Galway County Council for a Decorative Paint Certificate.     

The Council pursues non-registered or non-compliant users by way of enforcement of the above regulations and the Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2015 (Issuing of Fines).   

Decorative Paints Information Video: https://youtu.be/GvTC62Bn_I4  

Best Practice Guidelines for Vehicle Refinishing 

Further information is available from the EPA website at:  Decorative Paints  

Galway County Council maintain a register of compliant users on the Decorative Paints Register.  

Current List of Approved Vehicle Refinishers BROKEN LINK 

Suppliers of paints also need to be aware it is an offence to place non-compliant vehicle refinishing products on the market.  We also maintain a register of commercial businesses in the county that sell decorative paint materials.  

Register Galway County Council.pdf 

The Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations in Ireland are effective from 31 October 2022. These new regulations affect householders, retailers, and those involved in producing or importing solid fuels. The aim of the Regulations is to limit the release of pollutants from the domestic burning of solid fuels and to protect and improve air quality.    

Under the Regulations, it is prohibited to retail or distribute solid fuel for the purposes of combustion for heating (space or water) in a fireplace in a domestic or a licensed premises that is not an approved solid fuel under the Regulations. Approved solid fuels must be labelled with the words “contents comply with the Air Pollution Act Regulations” and packaging must also include the EPA producer registration number. This is to give the retailer and the householder confidence that the product is an approved fuel. 

To be approved, coal and manufactured solid fuels must conform to the relevant requirements: 

• They have a smoke emission rate of less than 10 grams per hour.
• Sulphur content must be less than 2% by weight. This will reduce to 1% after market assessment from 1 September 2025.
• Manufactured Part Biomass Products. This must have a smoke emission rate of less than 5 grams per hour.
• 100% Biomass Products (including wood products and logs):
• If supplied in units of two cubic metres or less, must have a moisture content of less than 25%, reducing to 20% from 1 September 2025.  

The regulations also impose obligations on producers, importers, and retailers of solid fuels to ensure compliance. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications provides updated FAQs and resources at their website for various stakeholders including householders, firewood importers, solid fuel producers, retailers, couriers, haulage, and media companies.   For more detailed information and educational videos, you can visit the official government website at www.gov.ie/cleanair.  

Galway County Council enforces these regulations on producers, transporters, and retailers within the county to ensure compliance. Retailers are required to deal only with registered producers. They must ensure that each product offered for sale is approved by the EPA. It is an offence to sell unapproved solid fuels.  

f you would like to submit an air pollution complaint, please fill out the following Environmental Complaints Form and return to address as directed  

• Email address: environment@galwaycoco.ie 
• Phone number: 091 509 510 

Please refer to the EPA Guidelines on Environmental Complaints: