Filenews 26 August 2022
As of 1.9.2022, the legislative framework for LPG installations is fully harmonized.
According to an announcement by the Department of Labour Inspection, the Regulations in question published in the Official Journal modernize the outdated regulatory framework of the Petroleum Products legislation, which no longer applies to LPG, while at the same time, the issuance of a License for the Storage of Petroleum Products for LPG by the Department of Labour Inspection is terminated.
The Regulations define the technical safety requirements and provide for the procedures to be followed for the installation, operation and maintenance of LPG storages and installations.
Also, a new and modernized Control System is introduced, through which the safe operation of LPG storages and installations is confirmed throughout their useful life.
As the announcement states, as of 1.9.2022, the periodic inspection of LPG storages and installations will be carried out by Authorized LPG Controllers and their installation and maintenance will be done by LPG installers who are approved by the Department of Labour Inspection on the basis of a series of criteria set out in the regulations".
The contact details of the above professionals are posted in relevant Registries on the website of the Department, which continues to exercise its supervisory role by supervising the above professionals and their activities related to LPG.
The Regulations also regulate the obligations of LPG Owners, i.e. owners of LPG installations with tanks and / or LPG cylinders and owners of cylinder storage areas.
LPG owners, among other things, must maintain the installation / storage of LPG in good and safe operational condition, which is achieved through the maintenance and periodic inspection of LPG installations / storages at the frequency specified in the Regulations.
The authorized LPG inspector issues a Periodic Inspection Report, which he delivers to the LPG owner. It also issues a Certificate of Faithful Execution of the Installation, which it also delivers to the LPG Owner.
In addition, LPG suppliers, before proceeding with a transfusion of LPG in tanks, must first make sure that the LPG installations meet the Regulations, i.e. that the LPG tank has a certificate of inspection in force from an Audit Organization, the installation has been checked by an authorized LPG inspector and the LPG owner has a Periodic Inspection Report in force.
Based on the above, "all LPG owners are invited to take care of the maintenance and periodic inspection of their LPG facilities / storages and ensure all the required documents so that their operation is considered safe".
It is noted that those LPG owners who hold a license for the storage of petroleum products for LPG for the installation / storage of LPG, must at its end take care to ensure a Periodic Inspection report.
CNA
