SIC 35.21 5 enterprises in the UK
Manufacture of gas
What this covers (3 activity descriptions)
- Gasification of lignite
- Gas production for the purpose of gas supply
- Gas works
What you must comply with
Unique to manufacture of gas
Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 — safety case
Operators of gas manufacturing processes connected to a gas network must prepare and have accepted by HSE a safety case covering safe management of gas flow, emergency arrangements, gas escape and incident response, and gas quality specifications. HSE acceptance is mandatory before operations begin — there is no tacit consent provision. Safety cases must be updated when operations change materially. Submission to HSE Gas and Pipelines Unit, Sheffield.
Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 — major accident hazard pipeline
Gas pipelines operating above 7 barg pressure are classified as major accident hazard pipelines (MAHPs). Operators must prepare and maintain a Major Accident Prevention Document (MAPD), carry out risk assessments, notify HSE, and demonstrate adequate emergency arrangements. Relevant for any gas manufacturing process connected to high-pressure pipework.
Environmental permit for combustion or process emissions
Gas manufacturing activities (including biomethane production, gasification, pyrolysis, or anaerobic digestion above thresholds) require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency (England), NRW (Wales), or SEPA (Scotland). Permit specifies emission limits, monitoring requirements, and operational conditions.
Applies to all manufacture of gas; distribution of gaseous fuels through mains
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
General duties to employees and others. Particularly significant in the energy sector given major hazard risks. HSENI enforces in Northern Ireland.
Employers' Liability Insurance
Required for all employers. Sole traders with no employees exempt.
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
Required for activities with emissions to air, water, or land. Equivalent regime in Scotland (SEPA under Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012), Wales (NRW), and Northern Ireland (NIEA). Large combustion plant operators require specific IED permits.
UK Emissions Trading Scheme — surrender and reporting
Applies to installations above the ETS threshold (generally >20 MW thermal input). Operators must monitor emissions, submit verified annual report, and surrender allowances by 30 April each year. SEPA administers in Scotland; NRW in Wales. Northern Ireland participates separately.
Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 2015
Applies to energy sites holding dangerous substances (liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, flammable gases) above threshold quantities. Lower-tier sites must notify the competent authority and produce a major accident prevention policy; upper-tier sites must also produce a safety report and emergency plan.
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