This program is sponsored by the European Commission, LIFE Third Countries Programme LIFETCY98/CY/167

Goals Achieved

Achieved Outputs 

Project Activities Achieved

Executive Summary

Project Abstract

Achieved Outputs

The working group managed to reach all the objectives initially set in the project. The outputs achieved are the same with those initially planned. Achieved outputs are given below:

• National profile which consist of an assessment of the situation concerning the chemical substances and preparations, industrial VOCs emissions and industrial emissions. (data concerning the current situation, list of all activities related with the aforementioned emissions, QA/QC methodology, information sheets, questionnaires, calculation spreadsheets, sampling - measurement and analysis specifications, analysis of collected data).
• A database for BATs to be used by interested bodies. (a list of industries in Cyprus that fall under the IPPC Directive, BAT guidelines for 15 industrial sectors, suggestions for the implementation of the BATs in the Cypriot IPPC industrial units, gap analysis for 15 IPPC industrial sectors).
• Databases and GIS that are accessible to various authorities at national and European level (database concerning chemical substances and preparations, database concerning industrial emissions and emissions of volatile organic compounds).
• A set of proposals for the amendment of legislation concerning chemicals and industrial pollution control according to EU Directives-standards Drafting of new legislation concerning Air Pollution Control (content analysis of EU legislation, description and assessment of the existing legislative framework of Cyprus, legal gap analysis, Air Pollution Control Law).
• A plan for continuous integrated monitoring (An operational plan for continuous integrated monitoring of industrial pollution customised to the needs of the Department of Labour Inspection)
  

Project Activities Achieved

The working group managed to complete all the activities of the project as these were described in the project proposal. The main project activities achieved are given below:

• Design and elaboration of a detailed source inventory and preparation of a National Profile for chemical substances and preparations, industrial VOCs emissions and industrial emissions (collection of data concerning the current situation, preparation of a registry with all activities related with the aforementioned chemical substances and industrial emissions, preparation of information sheets, distribution of the questionnaires, collection of questionnaires, collection of complementary data from on site visits, completion of calculation spreadsheets, development of sampling, measurement and analysis specifications, targeted sampling and measurements of emissions were piloted on 10 main industrial sectors, data concerning QA/QC procedures on liquid and air emissions inventory and monitoring were collected and elaborated, sampling-measurements in 20 industrial sectors, analysis and assessment of incoming data)
• Formulation and proposal of pollution preventive measures for IPPC industries (determination of the industries in Cyprus that fall under the IPPC Directive, collection of data concerning the BAT relevant to the IPPC industries in Cyprus, collection of the relevant BREFs published by EIPPCB in Seville, formulation of BAT guidelines for 15 industrial sectors, gap analyses between the BAT guidelines and the existing situation for 15 industrial sectors in Cyprus were carried out and various suggestions on the implementation of the BATs were developed).
• Organization of data in computerized archives - development of Data Bases and GIS (establishment of the requirements for all system elements (software-hardware), completion of software requirements analysis, the software configuration was performed, the necessary hardware and software to support the system were acquired, the design of database was carried out, the database concerning chemical substances and preparations and the database concerning industrial emissions and emissions of VOCs were constructed, all collected data were inserted into database)
• Proposals for the upgrading / amendment of the existing legislation concerning chemical substances and preparations and industrial pollution control (the content of the relevant EU legislation was analysed, the existing legislative framework of Cyprus was assessed (Water Pollution Control Law, Air Pollution Control Law), the legal gap analysis was performed, new legislation concerning Air Pollution Control has been prepared)
• Formulation of a plan for continuous integrated monitoring (An operational plan for continuous integrated monitoring of industrial pollution, customised to the needs of the Department of Labour Inspection, has been developed. The plan focuses on the distinctive role of the Department of Labour Inspection as the Permitting Authority and on the several operational procedures for Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement as set by IMPEL)
• Dissemination of knowledge (A website containing information concerning the project was developed, aiming at the project activities and results dissemination. Two one day seminars were organised in Nicosia to present the progress and the outputs of the project to Government officials)
• Participation to seminars/workshops/study tours (Two study tours to various industrial units in Greece which fall under the IPPC directive was organised and attended by representatives of the Department of Labour of Cyprus, the Technical Committee for the Protection of the Environment of Cyprus and the National Technical University of Athens. Officers of the Department of Labour attended several seminars/workshops/study visits in EU Countries, related to the activities of the project)
• Organisation of the Final Seminar of the project entitled `Integrated Control of Industrial Pollution and Chemical Substances in Cyprus The Way Towards the European Union`, held in Nicosia 7-8 June 2001. Preparation and edition of the proceedings of the final seminar of the project. Dissemination of the results of the project to the relevant interested parties in Cyprus and abroad.

Executive Summary

Design and elaboration of a source inventory and preparation of a National Profile for chemical substances and preparations, industrial VOCs emissions and industrial emissions

Chemical substances and preparations

The list of the chemical substances and preparations of interest according to EU Directives, Regulations and EINECS has been prepared. A list of the chemicals according to their potential effect on human health and environment has been produced. A list containing all the producers, importers, manufacturers and storage facilities related with these chemicals has also been prepared. The questionnaires regarding the chemical substances and preparations were developed and distributed. A guide was developed with the necessary information in order to fill in the questionnaire. The specifications for the statistical analysis of the collected data have been produced. The relevant data concerning the existing situation in Cyprus were collected through the distributed questionnaires and personal contacts. The percentage of the feedback obtained through the questionnaires is considered to be satisfactory if compared to similar activities carried out in other countries (e.g. Greece). The collection of data was enhanced by personal contacts and on site visits. The incoming data were analysed and assessed. Finally, the data were inserted into the appropriate database which, was designed and developed specifically for this purpose. The database can provide important information on the quantity of a particular substance on national level, the geographical and site distribution of stored substances, facilitating therefore the management of chemical substances and risk management. The database is a significant tool for collaboration with other governmental or municipal authorities (e.g. fire brigade, customs, town planning office, etc.) for an effective management of chemical substances.

Industrial emissions

A list containing the industrial sectors that are active in Cyprus and a list containing all industrial units falling into these sectors were produced. Guidelines concerning the Quality Assurance procedures relevant for the collection of data on air emissions and liquid effluents were compiled. The information sheets for each industrial sector were prepared. The questionnaires for both liquid effluents and air emissions have been developed. The calculation sheets as well as the sampling, measurements and analysis specifications for liquid effluents have been prepared. The collection of the data was achieved through the distributed questionnaires which, were developed specifically for this purpose. Complementary data on more than 100 industrial units have been collected through site visits. Sampling/measurements in 20 selected main industrial sectors have been also carried out for increased credibility and accuracy of data. The incoming data were analysed, assessed and then inserted into the database that was developed for this purpose.

VOCs

A list of the industrial units and other premises (e.g. petrol stations) to be surveyed was prepared. A list including all VOCs that are considered of main interest according to EU Directives and to their ozone creation potential and health effects was produced. Guidelines concerning the Quality Assurance procedures relevant for the collection of data on VOC emissions were compiled. A detailed inventory methodology was developed. The collection of data was carried out mainly through site visits and the distribution of the questionnaires. Finally, the data collected were elaborated, assessed and in a later stage were inserted in the appropriate database.

Formulation and proposal of pollution preventive measures (Best Available Techniques)

A list containing the industrial sectors that exist in Cyprus and fall under the IPPC Directive was developed. The collection of data concerning BATs for the various industrial sectors and processes was completed through a thorough investigation in international BAT databases, literature surveys and contacts with experts in this field. Seven case studies from various countries concerning the introduction of BAT concept into the permitting process were elaborated, the aim being the investigation of the experience gained by other countries in this field (e.g. Bulgaria, Ireland, etc). Preliminary BAT guidelines were developed concerning 15 IPPC sectors operating in Cyprus. The applied techniques in the industrial units of Cyprus were reviewed and compared with the corresponding developed BAT guidelines. Finally, suggestions for the introduction of BAT into the production processes of the IPPC industrial sectors in Cyprus were made for these 15 industrial sectors, focusing on the new approach of waste minimisation and clean technologies.

Organisation of data in computerised archives - Development of Databases and GIS (containing data and information relevant to : industry, air emissions, industrial wastewater, chemical substances and preparations, BATs, EU-Directives, emission limit values)

The data concerning the requirements for all system elements (hardware and software specifications) were elaborated. The specified hardware and software supporting tools have been acquired. The data structure and software architecture have been formulated, reviewed and adopted by all partners involved. A detailed design of database was developed. The final version of the database was produced, tested and validated. The appropriate data have been inserted into the database. A two-day seminar took place at the offices of the Ministry of Labour and therefore all inspectors are now familiar with the databases and GIS applications.

The database includes information on the following:

• General information on the industrial unit
• Raw materials / products
• Industrial emissions
• Information on environmental permits and operating conditions
• VOC emissions from industries
• Best Available Techniques guidelines
• EU Directives
• Emission limit values
• Reports
• Geographical Information Systems

The database and GIS is expected to facilitate the licensing systems and the identification of the environmental sensitive areas (national environmental management), the reporting to EU and other International Conventions and also the access to environmental information.

Legislative framework

All the relevant EC legislation was gathered. A screening was performed, in order to focus on the EC directives, which are of interest to the project. The relative Greek legislation has been collected in order to examine the Greek experience. All relative Cyprus legislation has been gathered. A legal gap analysis was performed. An analysis using the article by article approach was performed, in order to achieve full assessment. Finally, the appropriate documents for the amendment of the Air Pollution Control Law were prepared and discussed between the legal experts of the Department of Labour and the Legal Department of the General Attorney of Cyprus. The new final draft legislation concerning Air Pollution Control, which is fully harmonised, with the EU corresponding one has been prepared.

Formulation of a plan for continuous integrated monitoring

An operational plan for continuous integrated monitoring of industrial pollution, customised to the needs of the Department of Labour Inspection, has been developed. The plan focuses on the distinctive role of the Department of Labour Inspection as the Permitting Authority and on the several operational procedures for Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement as set by IMPEL. In implementing this plan for continuous integrated monitoring, the developed database will be a valuable tool for the Department of Labour Inspections, since it will provide the inspectors with useful information for the permitting issues as well as the planning and execution of inspections.

Project Abstract

The project under the title `Integrated Control of Industrial Pollution and Chemical Substances in Cyprus`, LIFETCY98/CY/167, was carried out by the Department of Labour Inspection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance of Cyprus in collaboration with the Department of Chemical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. The project commenced on 1.1.1999 and was terminated on the 30.9.2001.

The overall objectives of the project were:

• establishment of integrated systems for the control of chemical substances and for risk management
• establishment of integrated systems for the control of industrial emissions and emissions of volatile organic compounds
• detailed assessment of the situation concerning the chemical substances and preparations, industrial VOCs emissions and industrial emissions and development of the relevant inventories and emission registries
• development of tools related to Best Available Techniques for the implementation of the EU Directive for Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC).
• drafting of the necessary legislation in the field of industrial pollution control so as to be in line with the EU Acquis
• formulation of a plan for continuous integrated monitoring

Following, the various tasks of the project are described below.

Chemical Substances and Preparations

The methodology and the appropriate tools that were developed in order to establish an integrated chemical control system included the following:

The chemical substances and preparations of interested, according to EU Directives, Regulations and the European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances (EINECS) were determined. All the activities that take place in Cyprus and are related with these chemicals were registered. A questionnaire containing queries concerning the enterprises (trade name, location, address, tel, fax, email), the general director of the unit (address, tel, fax, etc), the person responsible for the completion of the questionnaire (address, tel, fax, etc), the operation permit, the person responsible for safety and environmental issues, the existing chemical substances and preparations (IUPAC Name, Characteristic numbers, safety information, quantities, supplier, etc), quantitative information on the use, import export, etc, was developed and sent to the various units dealing with chemicals, to be filled.

Almost a thousand units were registered, located all around the island. Approximately half of them were selected for further examination. A satisfactory percentage of the questionnaires sent were returned filled with the information required. In order to increase the rate of response, systematic personal contacts by telephone calls and on site visits were undertaken. All data collected from the inventory were then inserted into a database, which was designed and developed specifically for this purpose. The database can provide important information on the quantity of a particular substance on national level, the geographical and site distribution of stored substances, facilitating therefore the management of chemical substances and risk management. The database is a significant tool for collaboration with other governmental or municipal authorities (e.g. fire brigade, customs, town planning office, etc.) for an effective management of chemical substances.

Industrial and VOCs Emissions

For an effectively operational inventory of the industrial pollution sources a comprehensive method and various tools were developed and implemented as follows:

The industrial activities that are considered of high interest for the island were selected and the industrial units falling into these categories were registered. Some examples of the activities registered are: ceramic and tiles, lime and cement, energy, rendering, metal plating, refineries, slaughter houses, metal foundries, food industries, detergents, dry cleaners, dyeing industries, tanneries, dairies, oil mills, fisheries, hydrometallurgical processes, aluminium recycling, piggeries, poultry raising, breweries, cosmetics, canning industries, meet processing plants, pharmaceuticals, wood processing units, paper mills, production of construction material, etc.

Information sheets with the basic data for each sector (e.g. expected pollution loads, basic processes, major environmental impacts, etc) to be used by the Ministrys personnel as guide for the targeted inventory were compiled. Questionnaires were also developed containing queries regarding the units location, the activities that take place, the waste management practices, the pollution loads, the emission concentrations, etc. These were sent to the selected industrial units and then the inspectors carried out on site visits the aim being the collection of all data required. In addition to the above, technical specifications for sampling and experimental analysis were developed. Complementary data on more than 100 industrial units have been collected through site visits. Sampling/measurements in 20 selected main industrial sectors have been also carried out for increased credibility and accuracy of data. The incoming data were analysed, assessed and then inserted into the database that was developed for this purpose.

A list of the industrial units and other premises to be surveyed with respect to VOCs emissions was prepared. The major sources of VOC emissions are petrol storage and distribution, motor vehicle exhausts, evaporative emissions from cars, solvent usage and industrial processes.

The VOC emissions are considered very significant since they contribute to the stratospheric ozone depletion, ground level ozone formation, human health effects, greenhouse effect and they also accumulate in the environment. The inventory focused on the collection of data in petrol stations and terminals as well as industrial units and other activities such as printing and adhesives (printing, footwear production, wood/plastic lamination, adhesive coating), surface cleaning, dry cleaning-wood impregnation, coating manufacture, rubber conversion, vegetable oil extraction and pharmaceutical manufacture.

A list of the volatile organic compounds that are of high importance according to ozone creation potential and health effects was developed. Questionnaires both for industrial units and petrol stations emissions were prepared and distributed. The inspectors carried out on site visits the aim being the collection of all data required.

Guidelines concerning the Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures relevant for the collection of data on air emissions and liquid effluents were compiled.

All data collected from the inventory were then inserted into a database, which was designed and developed specifically for this purpose.

Formulation of Integrated Pollution Prevention Measures

Over the last decades improvements have been achieved in industry regarding several major polluting substances, and gradually, the environmental impact has shifted towards the so-called diffuse sources of pollution. Nevertheless, industrial production processes still account for a considerable share of the overall pollution in Europe and it is very important to further reduce their contribution to unsustainability. The EU has a set of common rules on permitting for industrial installations. These rules are set out in the so-called IPPC Directive of 1996. In order to access formally to the E.U., Cyprus has to follow an implementation process and take into account all the obligations that the 15 Member States have to respect. A large number of obligations derive from IPPC Directive, which intends to result in the protection of the environment as a whole and the public health as well. In the framework of this project, after a thorough examination of a large number of documents relevant to the Best Available Techniques, guidelines were developed for the application of BATs for the 15 IPPC industrial sectors in Cyprus.

In determining the best available techniques, special consideration was given to the following items:

• The prevention of pollution at source
• The use of low-waste technology
• The use of less hazardous substances
• The furthering of recovery and recycling of substances generated and used in the process and of waste, where appropriate
• Comparable processes, facilities or methods of operation, which have been tried with success on an industrial scale
• Technological advances and changes in scientific knowledge and understanding
• The nature, effects and emissions concerned
• The commissioning dates for new or existing installations
• The length of time needed to introduce the best available technique
• The consumption and nature of raw materials (including water) used in the process and the energy efficiency
• The need to prevent or reduce to a minimum the overall impact on the environment and the risks to it
• The need to prevent accidents and to minimize the consequences for the environment
• The information published by the Commission or by international organizations.

The applied techniques in the industrial units of Cyprus were reviewed and compared with the corresponding developed BAT guidelines. Finally, suggestions for the introduction of BAT into the production processes of the IPPC industrial sectors in Cyprus were made.

Organisation of data in computerised archives - development of databases and GIS

An industrial waste database system in which technical and environmental data of industrial units are statistically processed and evaluated according to the environmental regulations was developed. The application was designed for use in a network environment with Microsoft SQL Server. The application was developed using the programming language DELPHI. The GIS used was Arcview.

This database contains programs that allow the user to enter data concerning the industry's identity, water supply, liquid wastes, VOC emissions, solid and hazardous wastes, oil residues, etc, to manage these data, produce reports and perform statistical analysis. More specifically, the database includes:

• General information on the industrial unit
• Raw materials / products
• Industrial emissions
• Information on environmental permits and operating conditions
• VOC emissions from industries
• Best Available Techniques guidelines
• EU Directives
• Emission limit values
• Reports
• Geographical Information Systems

This application is very important as a decision support tool since it can assist the environmental authorities to:

• access / update the existing situation of emissions
• define problematic areas where pollutants exceed allowable levels (National Environmental Management)
• take promptly the necessary pollution control measures
• facilitate the licensing system
• report to EU and other International Conventions

Legislative Framework

New legislative framework for industrial pollution control and in particular for Air Pollution Control was developed. All relative EC legislation was gathered. A screening has been performed, in order to focus on the EC directives, which are of interest to industrial pollution. The relative Greek legislation was also collected in order to examine the Greek experience. All relative Cyprus legislation was gathered. A legal gap analysis has been performed and finalised. An article by article approach and analysis was performed, in order to achieve full assessment. Finally, the work for the drafting of the Air Pollution Control Law was carried out.

Integrated Plan for the Continuous Monitoring

An operational plan for continuous integrated monitoring of industrial pollution, customised to the needs of the Department of Labour Inspection, has been developed. The plan focuses on the distinctive role of the Department of Labour Inspection as the Permitting Authority and on the several operational procedures for Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement as set by IMPEL. In implementing this plan for continuous integrated monitoring, the developed database will be a valuable tool for the Department of Labour Inspections, since it will provide the inspectors with useful information for the permitting issues as well as the planning and execution of inspections.

Through the project administrative, legal and other arrangements necessary for the monitoring, assessment and control of chemical substances and for the integrated control of industrial pollution and VOCs emissions in line with EU legislative requirements and practices were developed and implemented.

The main benefits that are expected to emerge from the implementation of the aforementioned activities are:

• The expedition of the harmonisation process in the field of chemical and industrial pollution control.
• The evaluation of the environmental quality through the continuous monitoring and control of the most important parameters which have direct effect on it, such as chemical substances, VOCs and industrial emissions.
• The immediate overview of the prevailing environmental conditions of each industry (retrieval from the database) and the organisation of the related monitoring and remedial action programmes. 
• The pollution prevention and control through minimisation of pollution at source.