Waste Services
“Deco Paints” & Vehicle Refinishers
What are the "Deco Paints" Regulations?
Under the “Deco Paints” Regulations 2007, new environmental requirements affecting businesses involved in Vehicle Refinishing activities such as crash repairs, were introduced in Ireland. These Regulations apply to all such commercial operators that use solvent-based paint products containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) on their premises.
The Regulations prohibit the supply and use of certain solvent products containing VOC's, in order to eliminate the risk of potential air pollution. All commercial Vehicle Refinishers must ensure that only compliant solvent products are held and used on their business premises.
Certificates of Approval
In addition, all existing Vehicle Refinishing installations or premises must obtain a Certificate of Approval from their respective local authority in order to continue operating legally. New businesses must obtain a valid certificate before commencing Vehicle Refinishing activities, and mobile operators must obtain a certificate from each local authority in whose functional area they carry out Vehicle Refinishing activities.
It is an offence for any Vehicle Refinishing installation to operate without a valid Certificate of Approval.
A certificate will normally be valid for two years from its date of issue, and must be renewed by the applicant before its expiry date.
In order to obtain a Certificate of Approval, Vehicle Refinishers must commission an inspection report from an Accredited Inspection Contractor (AIC), and submit this report along with an application form and the prescibed €50 application fee to their local authority. A list of approved AIC's is available from the Irish National Accreditation Board, ph. (01) 607 3003, or on their website at www.inab.ie
Details of all Vehicle Refinishing installations currently registered within the Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown administrative area can be accessed by clicking here on the Deco Paints Register 
(Pdf - 364 kb.)
Please click on the following link to download a copy of the Deco Paints Registration form.
(Pdf - 280 kb.)
Further information for Vehicle Refinishing operators can be found in the EPA's “Best Practice Guidance Document”, which appears on the EPA website.