Guidance

LPG flaring at end-of-life vehicle sites: RPS 202

Updated 6 March 2024

This regulatory position statement (RPS) does not change your legal requirement to comply with an environmental permit to store and treat end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) when you flare gas from LPG tanks as part of the depollution process.

However, the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you if you do not comply with this legal requirement provided that:

  • your activity meets the description set out in this RPS

  • you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS

  • your activity does not cause (and is not likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health

Activity this RPS applies to

This RPS applies to flaring gas from LPG tanks at ELV sites as part of the depollution process.

Conditions you must comply with

You must:

  • have an environmental permit to store and treat ELVs

  • remove the gas from the LPG tank using a system specifically designed and manufactured for flaring gas from vehicle LPG tanks

  • flare the removed gas in a clearly identified, designated area of the site, away from combustible and flammable materials

  • detail the process and location for flaring in your fire prevention plan

  • carry out a Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations assessment and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks before flaring takes place

  • clearly label the LPG tanks that have had the gas removed, to identify that they have been emptied, and send them for recovery at a suitably permitted site

  • keep records for 3 years to show that you have complied with this RPS and make these records available to the Environment Agency on request

You must not:

  • flare any gas other than LPG from automotive LPG tanks on site

When you must check back

The Environment Agency intends to review this RPS by 1 December 2026.

The Environment Agency can withdraw or amend this regulatory position before the review date if they consider it necessary. This includes where the activity that this RPS relates to has not changed.

You will need to check back from time to time, including at and prior to the review date, to see if this RPS still applies.

This RPS remains in force until it is removed from GOV.UK or is otherwise identified as having been withdrawn.

You can subscribe to email updates about this RPS.

If you cannot comply with this RPS

If you operate under this RPS but can no longer comply with it, you must stop the activity to which this RPS relates and must tell the Environment Agency immediately. Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk and put ‘RPS 202’ in the subject.

Contact the Environment Agency

If you have any questions about this RPS email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk and put ‘RPS 202’ in the subject.