merrion street

Minister Pat Breen formally announced the finalisation and publication of new Dangerous Substances Regulations for the petroleum sector.

The new Dangerous Substances Regulations replace two sets of regulations which are now over 40 years old and will establish new guidance and standards for those working in the petroleum industry e.g. petrol/diesel filing stations and major fuel distribution stores.

The announcement of the new Regulations is an important step forward in delivering upon the Government’s commitment to improve safety standards for workers, retailers and contractors operating in the sector. The Regulations will modernise how the licencing system operates in a fair and consistent manner throughout the country and encompass key provisions for the prevention of potential harmful effects to the environment arising from the storage of petroleum products and other hazardous materials.  

On announcing the publication of the Regulations the Minister said:

I am very pleased to have signed these new regulations into law. They set out the clear and up-to-date safety and environmental standards required for the petroleum sector. It is my hope that this renewed focus will encourage and improve standards in the sector and help to eliminate health and safety risks.

The new Regulations, which will come into effect in April 2020, are part of an ongoing process of collaboration with representatives from the Local Government sector to overhaul the regulatory and operational structures for licensing of petroleum products and to introduce a new regional-based approach which will deliver consistency, transparency, and operational efficiencies for the current 31 licensing authorities in the sector. 

The new Regulations along with a Frequently Asked Questions document for stakeholders are available on the Department’s website: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Legislation/Dangerous-Substances-Regulations-2019.html