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14 June 2005 - Date for COMAH Amendments
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The Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment)
Regulations 2005 (COMAH) come into force on 30th June 2005.
The amendments aim to broaden the scope of COMAH taking into account research on
carcinogens and substances dangerous for the environment, and certain
amendments to the Seveso II Directive (96/82/EC).
The key revisions regard changes to the lists of named dangerous
substances or generic categories of substances that are used to determine
whether the regulations apply and to what extent. These changes involve:
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a redefinition of ammonium nitrate to cover lower percentage
composition, and new classes covering self-sustaining decomposition and reject
material
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a new named category for potassium nitrate fertilisers
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the specification of seven new carcinogens, and raised threshold
limits for all carcinogens
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a new category for petroleum products to include gas oils such
as diesel, naphtha and kerosene, with thresholds that are half those of the
previous automotive petrol category
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the redefinition of the classes for explosives
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lower qualifying thresholds for substances dangerous for the
environment
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a change to the aggregation rule that is applied to all
substances classified as toxic, dangerous for the environment, flammable or
oxidising.
The amended regulations also broaden the application of COMAH at
mines, quarries, boreholes and waste landfill sites while some amendments
clarify various requirements in the original regulations.
Head of HSE's Major Hazards Policy Group commented:
"The changes to COMAH brought about by these amendments
reflect the lessons learned from accidents in France, the Netherlands and
Romania, and EC recommendations about the major accident potential of high and
medium-potency carcinogens and substances dangerous for the environment.
"The amendments ensure that COMAH continues to provide a high
level of protection by placing appropriate controls on substances with the
potential to cause significant damage to human health and the environment. HSE
advises all operators of existing COMAH establishments and other businesses that
use or handle dangerous chemicals to check whether they will be affected by the
changes."
The Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations
2005 can be accessed by clicking the following link:
The Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations 2005
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