Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery during Refuelling of Motor Vehicles at Service Stations

Overview

Petrol contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which evaporate inside the fuel tank of a vehicle and fill the air space above the liquid fuel. When a vehicle is refuelled, these vapours are forced out from the fuel tank by the incoming fuel and, unless controlled, escape into the atmosphere through the filler neck of the fuel tank.

The UK Government has committed to invest in cleaner air for all. Emissions of VOCs contribute to the formation of low level ozone, a major air pollutant.

Directive 2014/99/EU on Stage II petrol vapour recovery (PVR) during the refuelling of motor vehicles at service stations makes two amendments to a previous Directive on the same issue (Directive 2009/126EC) which requires compliance with recently introduced European Committee for Standardisation standards (CEN standards) on the certification and in-service efficiency testing of Stage II PVR equipment.

Member States must transpose the Directive before 13 May, 2016.

Why your views matter

This consultation is focused on the proposed amendments to the Environmental Permitting Regulations which will transpose the 2014 Directive into UK law and enforce compliance with the CEN Standards. We are seeking views on the approach we have taken to transposition, in particular on the workability and appropriateness of the amending Regulations. We are also interested in views on the accuracy and validity of our assessment of the impact of transposition.

What happens next

We will publish a summary of responses to this consultation within a maximum of 12 weeks following the closing date for the submission of comments.

We plan to make the legislation as soon as practicable.