SINGAPORE: New industries in the Republic will have to meet tighter industrial emissions standards over a range of pollutants with effect from Jul 1, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) announced in a news release on Friday (Mar 20).
The introduction of more stringent standards is part of NEA's "continued effort to further improve air quality and safeguard public health", said the release.
NEA said existing plants will be granted a grace period - until Jul 1, 2018 - to comply with the revised standards for compounds of mercury, lead, cadmium, ammonia and hydrogen fluoride. The standards for particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide have also been revised, and for this the grace period will end on Jul 1, 2023.
“NEA has been in consultation with the affected companies since early 2014 on the revision of industrial emissions standards,” the release added. “The grace period will give them time to adjust their plans - for example, upgrades of equipment - and processes so that they can meet the standards and still achieve their business outcomes.”
The NEA is also introducing a daily site-average limit for sulphur dioxide, that it says will help regulate the emissions generated from combustion sources on a daily basis. The industrial activity in Singapore accounts for about 99 per cent of the locally generated sulphur dioxide emissions, it added.
“Tightening the emissions standards will encourage industries to continually review and improve their industrial processes, equipment design and daily operational protocols to reduce emissions of pollutants,” it added.
LIST OF REVISED EMISSION STANDARDS
- CNA/ct
Tougher emission standards for companies here from July
Feng Zengkun The Straits Times AsiaOne 21 Mar 15;
Companies in Singapore will have to meet tougher emission standards for a wide range of pollutants from July this year, to help improve the country's air quality.
Announcing the new guidelines yesterday, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the pollutants include mercury, cadmium, ammonia, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
From July, new industrial plants will have to comply with the higher standards.
Existing plants have until July 1, 2018 to meet some of the guidelines, and until July 1, 2023 for the rest.
The NEA said: "The introduction of the more stringent standards will serve to improve our air quality as we strive towards achieving our air quality goals for 2020 and beyond."
It added that it had been in consultation with affected firms since early last year, and the grace period will give them time to adjust.
For example, they can upgrade their equipment.
Tightening the standards will encourage firms to continually review and improve their operations.
It is also in line with the Government's goal of growing industries here sustainably in the long term.
The NEA also introduced a daily limit for sulphur dioxide emissions from combustion sources, since industrial activity makes up 99 per cent of the emissions generated locally.
In 2012, motor vehicles made up the remaining 1 per cent, according to statistics on the NEA's website.
Last year, the Republic's sulphur dioxide, fine particulate matter, particulate matter and ozone emissions all exceeded World Health Organisation guidelines.
Emissions here, however, are affected by haze from neighbouring countries.