MEE of China comments on VOC materials storage rules 
On May 24,2021, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China gave an answer to the question related to the storage methods of VOC containing materials in coating industry on its official website.
Question
The key enterprise in heavy pollution weather: According to the performance grading index on the page 330 of the “Technical guidelines for developing emergency reduction measures for key industries in heavy pollution weather” (Huanbandaqihan [2020] No.340), to control fugitive emissions, the VOC materials should be stored in closed containers or packaging bags, and containers and bags which containing VOC should be stored in closed negative pressure storages or silos. My understanding is that, VOC materials can be stored in closed containers (unopened for use) and there is no need to storage these containers in a closed negative pressure storage or silo. While what needs to be stored in a closed negative pressure storage or silo is the empty containers or bags which containing VOC materials. I am wondering if my understanding is correct?
Answer
According to the “Standard for fugitive emission of volatile organic compounds”, containers or packaging bags containing VOC materials should be stored indoors, or in a special site equipped with rain shed, sunshade or anti-seepage facilities. And the containers or packaging bags containing VOC materials should be capped, sealed, and keep closed when not in use. Therefore, combined with the relevant requirements of fugitive emission for coating industry in the “Technical guidelines for developing emergency reduction measures for key industries in heavy pollution weather” (Huanbandaqihan [2020] No.340), the unopened for use VOC materials you mentioned can be stored in closed containers, and then placed in the above-mentioned indoors and special sites. In addition, the packaging wastes of VOC materials of Grade A and Grade B enterprises should be stored in a closed negative pressure hazardous waste storage.
- Grade A、Grade B：The environmental performance grading of enterprises. During the heavy pollution weather, a differentiated management is conducted according to the environmental performance grade of enterprise. And the environmental performance grade is evaluated by the relevant departments based on the materials submitted by the enterprise voluntarily and other materials.
For the above related documents, please refer to the following URL (in simplified Chinese).
- Standard for fugitive emission of volatile organic compounds (GB 37822-2019)
http://www.gongyishi.gov.cn/zfxxgk/zdly/hjbhxx/hjwrfzhbh/webinfo/2020/06/1592341879038837.htm
- Technical guidelines for developing emergency reduction measures for key industries in heavy pollution weather (Huanbandaqihan [2020] No.340)
http://sthjj.ezhou.gov.cn/hjxw/tzgg/202012/t20201207_373648.html
For the original text of the above “Q&A”, please refer to the following URL (in simplified Chinese).
https://www.mee.gov.cn/hdjl/hfhz/202105/t20210524_834201.shtml
