Reminders for Printing Facilities Covered by Registration Permits

Small Biz News

Reminders for Printing Facilities Covered by Registration Permits

Your business operation is currently covered by a Registration Operation Permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Management Program. The DNR’s Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) and the Air Management Program work together on providing services and assistance to small businesses. This email is provided as a general resource for facility contacts. If current on all requirements, there is no action required. Copies of this and previous reminder emails are available online in PDF format.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Control Requirements

Printing facilities are responsible for proper handling of ink, solvents and mixtures, by taking precautions to prevent spills or other releases to the environment under NR 419, Wis. Adm. Code. A printer subject to any section in NR 422.14 to NR 422.145 shall also meet those requirements. See RACT applicability below for more details.

Facilities not subject to any section from NR 422.14 to NR 422.145 must control VOC emissions by meeting one of the following:

  • Apply 85% overall control of organic compounds by using air pollution control devices.
  • Adopt the Lowest Achievable Control Techniques and operating practices (LACT) conditions included in the ROP (more details included below).
  • Elect to meet the control requirements in any section from NR 422.14 to 422.145 which applies to the appropriate printing operation.

Printing facilities subject to, or electing to, meet a RACT limit must meet those requirements any time the presses are operating.  

RACT Applicability

Printing operations are activities regulated in chapters NR 422.14 to NR 422.145, Wis. Adm. Code. These regulations, also known as Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT), require printing process specific VOC controls or emission limits. Some of these regulations only apply in certain counties.

LACT Requirements

A facility with a process line that is not subject to RACT and has emitted more than 15 pounds per day of VOC may elect to operate under an applicable RACT or must either control emissions by 85% or demonstrate LACT.  LACT under the ROP is an emissions cap on each organic process line of 10 tons of VOC per year. 

  • To use the ROP LACT, keep records of VOC emissions from each organic process line to demonstrate compliance with the emissions cap.
  • For an explanation of LACT requirements, review information under Part II, Question 8 in the ROP-C Application Guide or Question 1 in the ROP A or ROP B application guides.
  • The DNR’s fact sheet, The Organic Compound Rule in NR 424, (AM-478) has more information.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Printing facilities shall maintain records which demonstrate compliance with applicable emission limitations and operating requirements. Any facility claiming to be exempt from an emission limitation or other requirement shall maintain records adequate to support each exemption claim. The following records are typically required:

  • Name of ink/solvent
  • VOC content in pounds VOC per gallon, or grams VOC per liter, from Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or Product/Technical Data Sheet from the supplier
  • Amount of material used each day, in pounds or gallons
  • Monitoring data from any control device
  • Maintenance log of any control device

Each ROP and s. NR 439.04, Wis. Adm. Code, contain specific recordkeeping requirements.

Calibration Of Monitoring Equipment

All instruments used for measuring equipment operational variables (e.g., pressure drop, temperature, air flow) shall be calibrated annually or at a frequency based on good engineering practice as established by operational history, whichever is more frequent. Calibration records shall be retained for a period of 5 years or for such other period as may be specified by the DNR.

  • Calibrate data transmitters.
  • Thermocouple replacement can substitute for calibration of the device.
  • Equipment inspections, maintenance and calibration schedule shall be included in a Malfunction Prevention and Abatement Plan.

Keep Facility Contacts Up To Date

To receive these and other communications from the DNR, it is important to maintain current contact information for facility roles within the Air Reporting System. 

  • To update contact information, follow the instructions on Notifying the Air Program about Facility Changes webpage.  
  • Consider creating a dedicated email address like EHS@xyzcompany.com or Compliance@xyzcompany.com or a group email that allows multiple people to access the messages. This can help ensure the company receives regulatory information, billing, and other notifications when staffing changes occur. 

Questions

  • Questions about compliance requirements can be directed to the air compliance engineer. Use our Air Permit Search webpage to find your facility, then under “DNR Air Contacts,” look for the staff listed as “DNR Compliance Engineer.”
  • General questions about ROPs can be di­rected to the Registration Program Coordinator.
  • Other questions can be directed to the SBEAP at DNRsmallbusiness@wisconsin.gov or 855-889-3021.