Interactive scheme to identify relevant (target) substances
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Aim:
In industrial and technical processes several chemicals are in use. It is important to save humans and the environment from adverse effects of these chemicals. Ideally, environmental releases should be prevented. The aim of the interactive scheme is to support stakeholders e.g. plant operators to identify substances which have the potential to be released into the environment, mainly via wastewater stream (target substances). Substances, which further have substantial hazardous properties are relevant target substances. The scheme is part of establishing a safe handling regime for substances used in a manufacturing process, which currently is evaluated.
Scope and objective:
The scheme is designed to allow a plant operator to check, under his own specific conditions, whether the chemicals used can be adequately removed in the course of wastewater treatment or are released into the environment with the wastewater and pose an unacceptable risk to the environment. In the end, the user should be able to draw a decision as to whether the measures taken to reduce emissions are sufficient and whether pollution of surface waters is prevented. Furthermore, irrespective of the assignment to an industry sector, the interactive scheme helps to identify substances or groups of chemicals with specific concerns that are relevant for inclusion in the respective BREF.
See WP 2 report
“Approaches for a better use of available data to prevent or reduce releases of substances of concern from industrial installations”
More background information can also be found in WP 3.2 report „Method to include information on hazardous and other substances of concern more systematically into BREFs” (Chapter 3.3).
How to use (further use information)
The general idea behind the Interactive scheme is a comparison of substance properties with the existing situation in the plant or installation to be accessed. In a multi-layered flow chart, questions have to be answered with yes or no. The yes-path goes from left to right, the no-path from top to bottom. On top and on bottom of respective sheets small buttons are applied to manoeuvre between the layers (back, next). Going through the scheme, as the (final) result the user will get three possible answers:
1. From environmental perspective, a save use of the chemical is likely. The substance seems to be a non-target substance for the plant. No further action is needed at the moment (green).
2. At certain points, a clear answer whether the substance is a target substance or not, could not be given. Further issues have to be considered or applied in assessing this substance. Boxes contain information on possible further activities or hints (yellow).
3. Currently, a save use of the chemical is not likely from environmental perspective. The substance should be considered as target substance. Further action to prevent environmental emissions is needed in the plant (red).
By clicking on a box in the flow chart, a pop-up will be opened. Here, the user will find further information e.g. an explanation of substance properties or detailed instructions. Links to the respective chapters of the HAZBREF project report, relevant international guidelines or data sources etc. are provided in the pop-up window, too. These documents provide the knowledge, which is necessary to perform a chemical assessment.
The scheme is considered to guide the user in decision making process. However, the final decision in substance evaluation for the regarded installation is in the user’s responsibility.
See WP 2 Detailed description of the Interactive scheme „Guidance and Detailed Description Interactive Scheme to Identify Relevant Target Substances.“.Link
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User target group:
- The interactive scheme primarily addresses the plant operator. Plant operators are supported in initiating (additional) risk management measures (emission prevention and control measures) for (relevant) target substances.
- However, the scheme can also be used by the branch associations. Using the scheme, they can create complete lists of substances employed in the branch, subdivided into processes, supplemented by information on alternative substances and information on safe use. Branch associations can also provide compilations of the regulatory status and expected regulations and thus take that burden off the individual companies. At branch association level one can derive standard phrases for safe handling or make provisions for substitution of substances.
- Use of the interactive scheme is also possible when revising BREFs. Here the TWG could use the scheme to identify the substances that should be addressed in the BREFs and identify (relevant) target substances for which BAT should be derived.
- Other interested parties, e.g. NGOs, can also use the interactive scheme to make their own statements about substances that they consider to need regulation.
All decisions in the interactive scheme are applicable to the operators and branch association. The TWG can omit decision D 2.3 to
D 2.5. as these decisions represent a safety net for the operator.
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The website is published by: The Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), represented by the President of the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA).
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