Control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations, Stage 1

OBJECTIVE: to reduce considerably the evaporative losses which occur at each stage of the petrol storage and distribution chain. MEASURE: European Parliament and Council Directive 94/63/EC on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations. SUBSTANCE: - La Directive applies to the operations, installations, vehicles and inland-navigation vessels used for the storage, loading and transport of petrol from one terminal to another or from a terminal to a service station; - The text provides for a wide range of measures relating to storage installations at terminals, the loading and unloading of mobile containers at terminals, mobile containers and the loading into storage installations at service stations; - The provisions of the Directive which relate to the loading into storage installations of service stations: . do not apply to service stations with a throughput of less than 100 m3/year; . state that Member States may grant a derogation for service stations with a throughput of between 100 and 500 m3/year when the service station is located in a geographic area where vapour emissions do not contribute to environmental or health problems; - The figure for the total annual loss of petrol from storage installations at terminals and service stations which results from loading operations represents a "target reference value", and not a legally binding limit value; - Member States could continue to apply stricter measures in force at national level in order to protect health and the environment; - Member States were to comply with the Directive on or before 31.12.1995. �