Installations using organic solvents: Indicate exceedance of threshold values

Do you operate a plant that consumes solvents? Find out here how to report that you are exceeding the threshold values for volatile organic compounds.

Detailed description

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are primarily produced when solvents are used, for example in printing plants, paint shops, cleaning facilities, or in the production of adhesives. They can pollute the air and be harmful to health. Therefore, it is important that the first instance of exceeding certain threshold values is reported.


If your plant does not require a permit and you are using so many solvents for the first time that the threshold values for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are exceeded, you must report this to the relevant authority.

 

Information

Prerequisites

They operate a plant whose solvent consumption exceeds the threshold values for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the first time.


The threshold values are as follows:

  • 0 tons of solvent consumption per year
    • Textile cleaning (dry cleaning facilities)
    • Series coating of vehicles (including cars, cabs, buses)
    • Coating of winding wire with phenol/cresol-containing substances
  • 1 ton of solvent consumption per year
    • Cleaning of surfaces
  • 5 tons of solvent consumption per year
    • Coating of rail vehicles
    • Coating of winding wire with other coating materials
    • Coating of metal or plastic surfaces
  • 10 tons of solvent consumption per year
    • Coating of sheet metal strips

Documents required

Please submit the complete advertisement with the data relevant to the investment.

Please note

You are committing an administrative offense if you fail to submit the notification, or if you submit it incorrectly, incompletely, or not on time.

Deadlines

Submit the notification no later than 6 months after the thresholds for the investment were first exceeded.

Procedure

  • You submit your application with the data relevant to the plant to the office responsible for you.
  • The relevant authority is reviewing your complaint.
  • If necessary, the responsible authority will request further documents from you.

Processing time

There is no legally mandated processing time.

Fees

There are no costs involved.

Legal remedies

No legal remedy is provided for.

Legal basis

Section 5 paragraph 2 sentence 2 of the Regulation on the Limitation of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds when Using Organic Solvents in Certain Installations (31st Federal Immission Control Ordinance)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bimschv_31_2024/__5.html

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Keywords: Federal Immission Control Act 31. BImSchV Solvent

Last updated: 19.07.2026