Solvent-based printing carries two duties on top of running a safe print works. First, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by solvent inks, coatings and cleaning agents are controlled by an air-emissions permit. Second, the hazardous substances in your inks and chemicals are subject to UK REACH. Both apply only if you use the substances they cover, so the first step is to work out whether they bite for your process.
A. Get your solvent-emission permit
If your printing uses solvent-based inks, coatings and cleaning agents above the regulatory threshold, the installation needs an air-emissions permit that controls VOC emissions — typically with emission limits, a solvent-management plan and monitoring. In England and Wales this is a Part B permit issued by your local authority under the Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control (LAPPC) regime within the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 — the local authority, not the Environment Agency, regulates Part B installations. Equivalent air-pollution-control permitting applies in Scotland (SEPA) and Northern Ireland (district councils), so check the regime and regulator for your nation.
B. Meet your UK REACH duties on the substances in your inks
The substances in your inks, coatings and cleaning chemicals are subject to UK REACH. Depending on your role and tonnage you may need to register substances you manufacture or import, and you must comply with the Annex 17 restrictions on named hazardous substances — relevant to certain pigments, solvents and additives used in printing inks — and pass safety information down the supply chain. UK REACH is a Great Britain regime, with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the UK REACH agency, supported by the Environment Agency on environmental matters. If you place goods on the Northern Ireland market, check the position separately — Northern Ireland follows EU REACH under the Windsor Framework, so the duties there can differ.
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1. Check whether you need a solvent-emission permit
Work out whether your use of solvent-based inks, coatings and cleaning agents crosses the threshold; if it does, apply for the Part B permit from your local authority (England and Wales) or the equivalent permit for your nation.
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2. Put a solvent-management plan and VOC controls in place
Meet your permit's emission limits, run the solvent-management plan and monitoring, and keep the records the permit requires.
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3. Map your ink and chemical substances against UK REACH
Identify what you must register, check the Annex 17 restrictions on the substances in your inks, and pass safety information down the supply chain. Check the NI position separately if you supply there.
What to do next
With your safe-print-works spine and your solvents, inks and emissions duties in place, confirm the whole picture with the printing business compliance checklist. If you are not sure which guides apply to you, start from the router.
Official sources
Authoritative environmental-permitting and chemicals guidance.