Doc 144/20 - Safe Use of Aluminium-Structured Packing for Oxygen Distillation

(Harmonised publication, revision of Doc 144/13) This publication addresses the use of aluminium-structured packing in oxygen distillation plants.

The document is intended for those who are involved in any aspects relating to the design, engineering, construction, and operation of air separation plants that use aluminium structured packing.

Doc 147/20 - Safe Practices Guide for Cryogenic Air Separation Plants

(Harmonised publication, revision of Doc 147/13) This document provides guidance on the safe operation of cryogenic air separation plants(ASUs), based on the experience of EIGA member companies.

Emphasis is placed on equipment and operational and maintenance features that are specific to cryogenic air separation processes. Limited coverage is given to plant equipment such as air compressors, which are used in other industrial applications and for which safe practices in design, installation, and use have already been established elsewhere.

Doc 185/20 - Safe Start Up and Shutdown Practices for Steam Reformers

(Harmonised publication, revision of Doc 185/14) This document is intended to inform and guide interested parties on the procedures and practices fundamental to combustion safety in the operation of steam reformers. It is intended as a baseline for safe reformer operation.

The need to specifically consider and address the start up and shutdown of industrial processes is well recognized as a cornerstone to safe operation. The requirements to ensure start up and shutdown safety are addressed in operating procedures and are included in many process safety regulations.

Doc 230/20 - Safe Catalyst Handling in HyCO Plants

(Harmonised publication) HYCO plants utilise a number of catalyst types and catalytic technologies to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or mixtures thereof. These catalysts are comprised of various chemical compounds across a number of support materials and structures, and reaction occurs in tubular, fixed bed, or modular reactors. Most of these catalysts are replaced periodically.

There are safety hazards involved in the storage, loading, unloading, and disposal of these catalysts. These hazards include the handling of self-heating or potentially pyrophoric materials and the presence of toxic metals (for example, nickel, chromium, etc.), toxic metal carbonyls, and hexavalent chromium. There are also hazards associated with verification of uniformity of catalyst installation, including managing the differential pressure measurements taken during loading of reformer tubes.

This publication covers the safety aspects of all catalysts and chemisorbents such as zinc oxide used in HYCO facilities.

Doc 231/20 - Response to Operational Issues in Acetylene Plants

Acetylene has unique properties that require technical knowledge for response to operational issues. The document gives action plans for possible operational issues in an Dissolved Acetylene plant.

SCIP DATABASE

SCIP is the database for information on Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products) established under the Waste Framework Directive (WFD).

Notification to the SCIP database is mandatory as of 5th January 2021. The REACh group AHG-I.11 has prepared information about background and a summary of obligations. Click here for more information.

Ph.Eur. Monograph O2 98%:

Good news!

EDQM has published the results and the decisions taken after their public enquiry on a new monograph of 98%.

EIGA’s position submitted in the public enquiry is perfectly aligned and reflects the decisions taken by EDQM:

• There is no urgency for a new monograph due to COVID-19 Pandemic,

• The regular approval process through 9G group of experts should be followed for a new monograph,

• A different monograph to Oxygen 93% is preferred.

Here is the direct web-site link

Terms of office

Nik de Corte (Messer) has been appointed as new Chair of WG10 - Homecare. MGC wishes Nik success with the team!

EMA

EMA has published their rev3 of "QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON REGULATORY EXPECTATIONS FOR MEDICINAL PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN USE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC" .

EIGA as official stakeholder has contributed to the preparation of the document. It is possible to download the document using this link

New AHGs

A new Ad Hoc Group AHG-M.16 was created on “Internal Cylinder Quality ”

EIGA feedback on 2030 Climate Target Plan

The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Revising the current 2030 target upwards puts also helps to pace and focus transition efforts from now until 2050. The consultation aims to collect opinions on the desired ambition level of climate and energy policies. EIGA's AHG-R.3 responded to this call for feedback. Please contact p.cornille@eiga.eu for more info.

Hydrogen, Climate and Energy

An updated version of the European Commission’s draft hydrogen strategy confirms the EU’s “priority focus” on clean hydrogen produced from renewable electricity, but also recognises the role played by “fossil-based hydrogen” in the transition. Link to Euractiv article

Major gas multinationals have expressed their concerned over European Commission’s plans to focus solely on renewable hydrogen and they called for a more inclusive plan that takes into account blue hydrogen. Link to RECHARGE article

European Union countries agreed on Wednesday (24 June) that the bloc’s flagship fund to wean regions off fossil fuels should not finance nuclear or natural gas projects. Link to Euractiv article

Taxonomy - final text published

The final text of the EU taxonomy Regulation has been published in the Official Journal of the EU , after being formally approved by the European Parliament and the EU members states. The development of the technical level-2 legislation that will further specify the requirements of the Regulation is ongoing. The Taxonomy will start to apply regarding climate change objectives on 1 January 2022, and for the remaining objectives on 1 January 2023.

SCIP DATABASE

SCIP is the database for information on Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products) established under the Waste Framework Directive (WFD).

Notification to the SCIP database is mandatory as of 5th January 2021. The REACh group AHG-I.11 has prepared information about background and a summary of obligations. Click here for more information.

SA 25/20 - Disposal of Surplus and Used Company Clothing

(revision of SA 25/15) EIGA member companies have previously reported instances where members of the public were mistaken for employees due to wearing clothing showing company logos. This Security Alert provides guidance on how members should manage the issue, retrieval and disposal of clothing that could have company logos on them. It is intended for those persons responsible for the management of clothing, including personal protective equipment displaying company logos.

SA 26/20 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) - Guidance to EIGA Members

(revision of SA 26/15) The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is increasing for both leisure and commercial purposes.

A number of countries have legal requirements on the use of drones for commercial purposes, but there is not a harmonised approach across Europe.

This Security Alert (members only) provides a number of recommendations on how EIGA member companies should manage the use of commercial drones on members’ sites as well as recommendations on how to react to unauthorised flights of drones over their sites.

The Security Alert is intended for those who manage the use of authorised drones in member companies as well as site managers.

Doc 904/20 - Work Injury Statistics (WIST)

(revision of Info Doc 904/11) EIGA Doc 904 "Work Injury Statistics (WIST)” (for members only) contains the rules and guidelines for reporting industry injuries and is intended to be used by those who are working with the EIGA Statistic Platform WIST.

SAC has revised the document and the new revision contains important changes that have been approved by the Board of Directors.

This revision was initiated due to concerns from the EIGA Board of Directors about the increasing number of injuries suffered by contractors working for member companies. Contractors undertake many high-risk activities for member companies. The aim of EIGA member companies is to provide safe work environment for each person, so this revision includes a new requirement to report injuries suffered by contractors.

It also includes the requirement to report injuries suffered by people working for member companies and their contracting companies, occurring at any location involving homecare installations and services related to the supply and use of medical gases in a patient’s home environment.

The new WIST platform is aligned with this revision. It contains a new qualification field ‘contract type’ to be able to split data between injuries suffered by people working for member companies and their contracting companies. To obtain correct statistical data a field to enter the hours worked by contractors has been included. Reports will be available in different categories: member company employees, contractors and both together.

Doc 914/20 - Road Vehicle Accident Statistics (RAST)

(revision of Info Doc 914/05) To establish the consequences, nature and frequency of accidents to the industry's road vehicles, EIGA collects systematic and detailed information on injury, loss and damage related to significant accidents. This information adds to industry knowledge and enables informed discussion with the legislators.

EIGA Doc 914 Road Vehicle Accident Statistics (RAST) contains the rules and guidelines for collection and reporting of data on road vehicle accidents and is intended to be used by those who are working with the EIGA Statistic Platform RAST.

This revision highlights an important change approved by the Board of Directors: reporting on road vehicle accidents is mandatory from 2020, both for accidents from member companies and from their contracting companies.

The new RAST platform is aligned with this revision. It contains a new qualification field ‘contract type’ to be able to split data between member companies and their contracting companies. To obtain correct statistical data the kilometres driven are split between own transport and subcontracted transport. Reports will be available in different categories: member company accidents, contractor accidents and both together.