United Nations - UN1002

EIGA, under direction from WG1, had submitted 2 papers to the UN Transport of Dangerous Goods Subcommittee 57th meeting in December. Both were approved for inclusion in the UN Model Regulations.

Indeed, after 2 years of work, our paper 2020/9 & INF.35 on Clarification of scope UN1002 Air, Compressed was adopted, allowing the transport of synthetic air mixtures (between 19,5% and 23,5% O2/N2) under UN1002. A new Special Provision SP 397 was created for this purpose.

With help from WG2 and WG9 members, EIGA submitted the paper 2020/8 & INF.40 on the Update of LC50 Values to align with ISO 10298, and succeeded to have the new LC50 values adopted for Boron Trifluoride, Tungsten Hexafluoride, Phosphorous Pentafluoride and Hydrogen Fluoride (anhydrous).

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United Nations - placards for flammable gases

EIGA, together with support from Liquid Gas Europe Association and CEFIC, provided comments over a period of 2 years, to a Spanish paper to change labels for flammable gases:

Paper 2020/39 Rev1 (Spain) and INF.19 (WLPGA, LGE) Gases Flammables and Placards: their objective was to add a ‘’cylinder’’ symbol or text to the label to allow an easier distinction for the emergency rescue teams, between flammable gas and liquid.

EIGA joined the intersessional group and contributed with many arguments why the industry believed this change was not necessary…mainly because current legislation allows already to add nationally such text and because the UN number remains the main source of information.

Several country delegations voted negatively, resulting in that the Spanish proposals were not adopted.

TP 61/21 - ADR 2021 Main Changes linked to Class 2 Transport

The 2021 edition of ADR¹ is now available. The EIGA Training Package is intended as an overview of the changes made between the 2019 and 2021 editions.

This Training Package is intended for all who are involved in the use of ADR, and in particular those who are responsible for communicating the changes to ADR within their organisations.

It should be noted that this Training Package is intended as an overview of the changes as they relate to the gases industry and that it should be used in conjunction with the 2021 edition of ADR.

TP 62/21 - Cylinder Valve Connections

This publication provides explanation and background to the multitude of types of cylinder valve connections. It also elaborates on the sealing methods and list the most relevant standards.

This Training Package is a useful tool for all involved in cylinder package design and operation.

Doc 30/21 – Disposal of Gases

(Harmonised publication, revision of Doc 30/13) This document describes techniques and recommended practices for the safe disposal of gases used in the industrial gases industry. It includes the identification and the selection of the appropriate disposal methods such as re-cycling, incineration and chemical adsorption/absorption/reaction.

Advice is also given on cylinder de-valving, dealing with potentially hazardous residues, the disposal of unusable containers and the document includes an appendix giving details of ‘Gas characteristics and recommended disposal methods’.

Doc 81/21 - Road Vehicle Emergency and Recovery

(revision of Doc 81/06) This document has been written by Experts from the Gases Industry to help minimise the effects of serious road vehicle incidents involving Gases Industry products by providing recommended guidance, training and procedures to be followed

Doc 95/21 - Avoidance of Failure of Steel Cylinders Containing CO and CO/CO2 Mixtures

(Harmonised publication, revision of Doc 95/12) This document reflects recent experiences of EIGA member companies.

Accidents have occurred in the past with carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide mixtures cylinders.

The document covers the selection of gas cylinders; seamless steel cylinders, seamless steel tubes, welded steel cylinders, and non-refillable or disposable steel cylinders, used for carbon monoxide and for carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide mixtures, e.g. laser gases.

Intentionally made mixtures containing less than 5 ppmV carbon monoxide or 5 ppmV carbon dioxide are not affected by this document.

The document is intended to be used by those who are responsible for filling operations, including those who specify mixtures to be filled into cylinders.

The publication is part of the programme to develop Globally Harmonised publications amongst Regional Gas Associations.

Doc 929/20 - EIGA Statistical Protocol

(EIGA Members' area) This publication details how EIGA processes data collected from its members to ensure compliance with competition law, and in particular that no individual company information is disclosed directly or indirectly.

SA 45/21 - Hazard of Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres in Healthcare Facilities

The potential hazards associated with oxygen-enriched atmospheres are well known and several EIGA publications provide personnel working with oxygen with details of the fire and explosion hazards associated with these conditions.

Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic patients receive High-Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO) as an effective means of treatment, capable of delivering an oxygen flow rate of up to 60 litres per minute. As more wards are equipped for oxygen treatment and HFNO treatment, it is possible the ventilation systems will not be able to maintain atmospheres that are not oxygen enriched.

Please click here to download SA 45.

Classification of CO2 endoscopy applications

The new draft of the Guidance on classification of medical devices is available since December and open for comments. Thanks to the EIGA members, this text includes improvements for the classification of CO2 endoscopy applications. WG15 continues in commenting this draft.

This document has been endorsed by the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) established by Article 103 of Regulation (EU) 2017/745. The MDCG is composed of representatives of all Member States and it is chaired by a representative of the European Commission.

Doc 929/20 - EIGA Statistical Protocol

(EIGA Members' area) This publication details how EIGA processes data collected from its members to ensure compliance with competition law, and in particular that no individual company information is disclosed directly or indirectly.

EIGA ensure our industry positions are input in the legislative processes.

An unprecedented concentration of policy initiatives by the European Commission triggered the opening of several public consultations at the year end and the beginning of 2021. EIGA has been heavily engaged in this process to ensure the positions of the industrial gases sector was properly conveyed. All consultations EIGA responded to, relate to the European Green Deal and the ambitious climate and energy ambitions. EIGA participated in “feedbacks” and “consultations” on the following legislative initiatives :

• Review of the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS),

• Review of the Environmental Protection and Energy State Aid Guidelines (EEAG),

• Review of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED),

• Review of the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR),

• Taxonomy, sustainable finance and a new EU classification system for green investments

and EIGA will share more of its positions input in the coming weeks.

Doc 929/20 - EIGA Statistical Protocol

(EIGA Members' area) This publication details how EIGA processes data collected from its members to ensure compliance with competition law, and in particular that no individual company information is disclosed directly or indirectly.

Info 39/20 - Securing of Cylinder Packages to Vehicles

Every day EIGA members transport many thousands of cylinder packages. Recently EIGA’s Safety Advisory Council has received a number of reports of cylinders and cylinder bundles not being securely attached to the vehicle and then falling onto the road. This Safety Information has been issued to remind transporters of the requirements and precautions to be taken when transporting cylinders.

Info 36/21 - Working at Height – the Hazard of Suspension Trauma when using Fall Arrest Systems

(Revision of Info 36/14) Working at height is a common type of activity in the gas industry and many different hazards have been identified for working at height.

EIGA wants to raise awareness of the specific risk of suspension trauma which may be less understood and consequently underestimated. In the gas industry, suspension trauma is most likely to occur when a person working at height and using a harness accidentally falls and is left motionless, suspended by the harness for a period of time.

This Safety Information is intended to raise awareness, to all those involved in the planning and execution of working at heights when using fall arrest systems, of how suspension trauma can occur while people are suspended following a fall and provides guidance on signs and symptoms.

The document also outlines recommendations for preventing suspension trauma, as well as recommendations for worker training and rescue.

Awareness Package TP INC 41/21 - Recent Incidents in the Industrial and Medical Gases Industry (SAC 165)

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.

This publication can be viewed or downloaded on the EIGA Website (restricted to EIGA Members only) by clicking here

Doc 05/21 - Guidelines for the Management of Waste Acetylene Cylinders

(revision of Doc 05/20) This publication sets out the standards for the safe treatment or disposal of acetylene cylinders and reflects the priority that EIGA gives to the protection of people and the environment. The publication determines the standards to be achieved and describes methods by which these can be achieved. Methods should only be adopted where an equivalence of safety can be demonstrated.

Doc 102.08/21 - Safety Audit / Assessment Tool – Liquid Tanker and Distribution of Liquid Products

The former Appendix 7 of Doc 102 – Safety Audit / Assessment Tool for Liquid Tanker and Distribution of Liquid Products – has been reviewed and published as Doc 102.08. (All annexes of Doc 102 are listed in Doc 102.01)

Doc 929/20 - EIGA Statistical Protocol

(EIGA Members' area) This publication details how EIGA processes data collected from its members to ensure compliance with competition law, and in particular that no individual company information is disclosed directly or indirectly.