Regulatory Decision 036: Liquefied petroleum gas flaring at end of life vehicle sites
This Regulatory Decision (RD) is valid until 31 December 2024 by which time it will be reviewed. You should check back at that time to ensure the RD is still valid.
NRW can withdraw or amend this RD before the review date if we consider it necessary. This includes where the activity that this RD relates to has not changed.
Regulatory Decision
This RD applies to flaring liqueified petroleum gas (LPG) removed from vehicles at permitted end of life vehicle (ELV) sites.
An ELV permit for treating waste does not authorise you to flare LPG. However, if you follow the conditions in this RD, you can flare LPG removed from ELVs during depollution, without changing your environmental permit.
If you cannot comply with the conditions in this RD and you want to flare LPG, you need to apply to change your permit.
This RD does not apply to any other activity, even if it is under the same legislation. You may still need other permits or licences for other activities you carry out.
Conditions you must comply with
You must:
- remove the LPG from the vehicle fuel tank using a system specifically designed and manufactured for purging vehicle tanks of LPG and flaring off gas
- purge and flare in a clearly identified, designated area of the site, away from combustible and flammable materials
- detail the process and location for purging and flaring in your Fire Prevention & Mitigation Plan · carry out a Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations assessment and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks
- clearly label the tanks you’ve removed from a vehicle to identify that they have been purged, and send them for recovery at a suitably permitted site
- keep records for 2 years that show you have complied with this RD – you must make these records available to NRW on request
You must not purge or flare any gas other than LPG from automotive LPG tanks on site.
Enforcement
This RD does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit for a waste operation when you are flaring liquified petroleum gas at end of life vehicle sites.
However, NRW will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with the need for an environmental permit if you meet the requirements in this RD.
In addition your activity must not cause (or be likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health, and must not:
- cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
- cause a nuisance through noise or odours
- adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest