02

IGC keeps following-up and reacting to events and trends, both inside and outside of Europe.

A few examples :

• Yima City accident (China July 19, 2019), a joined group was formed with European and American experts to study this accident, extract lessons learned and prepare updates of related harmonized industry standards

• IGC has formed an Adhoc group AHG-3.27 in order to organize the collection of industry data on the results of inspection of decommissioned Flat Bottomed Tanks

• Industry has recently been made aware by a supplier of Brazed Aluminum Heat eXchangers (BAHX) that the exchanger headers had been fabricated over the years by a sub-supplier using welders that were not properly certified for the work they were performing and that the headers were welded to the cores by welders not systematically properly certified. EIGA & CGA are working to assess the implications.

For more info, feel free to contact us (info@eiga.eu).

MDR postponed by one year

With patient health and safety as a guiding principle, Europe adopted this Regulation to postpone the date of application of the Medical Devices Regulation until May 2021.

This postponement takes the pressure off national authorities, notified bodies, manufacturers and other actors so they can focus fully on urgent priorities related to the coronavirus crisis.

Busy times for MGC

The MGC continues to have frequent conference calls to stay abreast with changing situations and events related to the impact COVID-19 has on our industry.

The MGC has issued, against very tight deadlines some industry responses on enquiries, for instance on an European pharmacovigilance related request concerning the administration of medical nitrous oxide mixtures. Another example, is the public consultation concerning the proposal from EDQM to publish a new monograph on medical oxygen, called Oxygen 98.

If you like more information, please contact your MGC member.

05

Inception Impact Assessment on 2030 Emission Targets

The EU aims to become climate-neutral (net zero greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050. To achieve this, it will propose a cut in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 50% to 55% for 2030 from 1990 levels, rather than at least 40% currently, including an amendment to the recently proposed European Climate Law.

EIGA's feedback to the EU can be consulted here.

06

Sustainable finance – EU classification system for green investments

The EU is defining a classification system for sustainable economic activities (‘taxonomy’), and focuses on the EU’s environmental objectives on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

This will create a common language that investors can use everywhere when investing in projects and economic activities that have a substantial positive impact on the climate and the environment.

EIGA’s feedback to the EU can be consulted here.

07

Letter to DG-CLIMA on MRVA

EIGA shared its position on Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Accreditation (MRVA) with DG CLIMA.

EIGA recognizes that ETS Phase IV will co-exist with RED II and other policy instruments; also that the EU will be working hard to ensure policy consistency where that is required. In that context, we are sure that the treatment of CCU will be a particular focus, as it is for EIGA members.

Along with CCS, CCU has the potential to be important where that CO2 arises as an unavoidable result of an industrial, combustion or another process and where the use of that CO2 brings identifiable climate benefits. In that context, EIGA sees value in the principle that, against the backdrop of potentially overlapping policy measures, all fossil-derived CO2 that is either immediately emitted or is emitted after only a geologically brief delay should carry the same cost, however and wherever that cost may be levied.

08

TP INC 38/20 - Recent Incidents in the Industrial and Medical Gases Industry (SAC 162)

At each meeting of the EIGA Safety Advisory Council (SAC), the members exchange information on gas industry related incidents (accidents causing injuries, property or environmental damage and near-misses). SAC discusses and analyses these incidents. This information is used by SAC to determine the priorities for safety alerts, safety information, new and revised documents, campaigns etc.

In this Awareness Package are the summaries and photographs of recent incidents discussed at SAC. The Aim of this Awareness Package is to inform EIGA members about recent incidents in the industrial gases industry and to provoke discussion and new ideas how to improve safety in the industry.

Accidents/incidents reported or discussed in the SAC remain confidential.

This publication can be viewed or downloaded on the EIGA Website (restricted to EIGA Members only, please log in first) by clicking here.

09

TP 21/20 - Nitrous Oxide Plant - Environmental Issues

(revision of TP 21/10) This environmental training package for nitrous oxide plant is aimed at plant personnel, managers, supervisors and staff and refers to EIGA Doc 112 Environmental Impacts of Nitrous Oxide Plants.

This publication can be viewed or downloaded on the EIGA Website (restricted to EIGA Members only, please log in first) by clicking here.

10

TP 59/20 – Safety II

Traditionally safety actions are based on unsafe conditions, unsafe acts, near misses or actual incidents. This approach is typically referred to as “SAFETY ONE”. As an approach, predominantly focused on compliance and adverse events, Safety One seemingly has its limitations resulting in plateaus in the safety performance indicators. The reasons for the limitations are seen in the dynamics of complex systems by work-psychologists. Also, a culture of purely compliance-based approaches fosters a loss of competency.

In contrast, “SAFETY II” looks at why things have gone right. It takes the ability of humans, based on expertise, skills and experience, into consideration to influence complex systems proactively and in a way that situations remain safe. Even though the theories and concepts of SAFETY II are still in research status, one useful element is the inter-dependent behaviour of people – in other words: to watch-out for one-another.

This publication can be viewed or downloaded on the EIGA Website (restricted to EIGA Members only, please log in first) by clicking here.

11

SA 18/20 - Theft of Metal and Diesel from Gas Industry Sites

(revision of SA 18/12) EIGA’s Security Working Group is aware that there is a continuing risk around theft of metal from sites and diesel fuel from commercial vehicles. The intention of this Security Alert is to inform EIGA members what actions can be taken to reduce the risk of incidents.

This publication can be viewed or downloaded on the EIGA Website (restricted to EIGA Members only, please log in first) by clicking here.

12

SA 19/20 - Theft of Nitrous Oxide from Medical Premises

(revision of SA 19/12) EIGA’s Security Working Group is aware that there is a continuing risk around theft of metal from sites and diesel fuel from commercial vehicles. The intention of this Security Alert is to inform EIGA members what actions can be taken to reduce the risk of incidents,

This publication can be viewed or downloaded on the EIGA Website (restricted to EIGA Members only, please log in first) by clicking here.

13

Doc 101/20 - The Carbon Dioxide Industry and the Environment

(revision of Doc 101/03) Doc101 explains the uses and applications of carbon dioxide and the environmental impact of the Carbon Dioxide Industry.

14

Doc 112/20 - Environmental Impacts of Nitrous Oxide Plants

(revision of Doc 112/13) Doc112 is intended to serve as a guide for nitrous oxide plant operations to assist in putting in place a formal environmental management system that can be certified by an accredited 3rd party verifier. It aims to provide a guide for operating managers to identify and reduce the environmental impacts of these operations. It also provides the basis for establishing the Best Available Techniques for the purposes of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions

15

Doc 137/20 - Environmental Aspects of Decommissioning

(revision of Doc 112/13) Decommissioning is receiving increasing attention from the authorities, industrial gas companies and future property owners and occupants. This publication aims to provide guidance to EIGA members, specifically directors, facility managers, environmental specialists, design and engineering departments and technical managers on the current legislation and best practices that should be applied to decommissioning activities. Decommissioning includes dismantling, demolition and disposal of plant buildings and equipment, and dealing with the potential liabilities associated with the closure of part or all of the location. A spreadsheet is also available here.

16

Doc 167/20 - Methodology to Establish a "Product Carbon Footprint"

(revision of Doc 167/11) This document presents the basis of a methodology for EIGA members to calculate a "product carbon footprint" that is applicable to industrial gases products, and guidelines on how to communicate this information to stakeholders.

This document proposes the methodology, sources of emission factors and the scope and borders to be considered and applied by EIGA members when calculating a carbon footprint for products.

17

Doc 178/20 - Environmental Aspects of Standardisation

(revision of Doc 178/13) This document provides guidance on inclusion of environmental aspects in standardisation activities.

It is intended for use by working group experts involved in the preparation of international standards (CEN and ISO) and provides guidelines for inclusion and consideration of environmental aspects.

The only changes to the text of the document are to update references to certain EU Directives.