Changes in the regulations governing the way bodyshops deal with dangerous chemicals have been welcomed by the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI).

Revisions to the Environmental Protection Act PG6/34 (97) will see the one tonne threshold on the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that a bodyshop can produce before declaring it to the local authority reduced to half a tonne. The changes will begin in phases, with a final deadline of 31 October, 2007.

Bob Hood, RMI bodyshop director says: “This is a positive move for the sector. As more and more businesses register, it will put pressure on those working on the fringes to come into line, or cease trading.”