C4. Air Emissions

Code 8.0

Air emissions of volatile organic chemicals, aerosols, corrosives, particulates, ozone depleting substances, and combustion byproducts generated from operations shall be characterized, routinely monitored, controlled, and treated as required prior to discharge. Ozone-depleting substances shall be effectively managed in accordance with the Montreal Protocol and applicable regulations. Participants shall conduct routine monitoring of the performance of its air emission control systems.

Elements to Demonstrate Compliance to RBA Code

1. Policy

Ensure the facility environmental policy includes air emission elements including:

• a. Air emissions are routinely monitored.
• b. Proper Air emission control systems are in place and routinely monitored for performance.
• c. Environmental noise levels are within regulatory limits.

2. Procedures & Practices

Procedures & Practices are in place such that:

• a. The facility has fully characterized its air emissions (type, nature, quantity, etc.)
  • i. Ozone depleting substances are clearly labeled.
• b. The supplier has all required emissions permits and is in compliance with all permit requirements and local environmental standards. Results are tabulated and regularly reported.
• c. Treatment
  • i. Air emissions are treated prior to discharge in accordance with permit requirements.
  • ii. Where required, the facility has exhaust ventilation systems designed to capture emissions and pollution treatment systems (i.e. scrubbers, catalytic removal, thermal oxidation, etc.,), which reduce emission to an acceptable level before discharging,
  • iii. The facility has exhaust ventilation systems designed to capture emissions at the source and pollution treatment systems (i.e. scrubbers, catalytic removal, thermal oxidation, etc.), to remove or reduce the concentration of emissions before discharge, as required by local laws and regulations.
• d. Reduction
  • i. An adequate and effective reduction program with:
    1. Annual objectives
    2. Regular objective tracking
    3. Progress monitoring
    4. Adjustments made if off nominal.
  • ii. Engineering and administrative systems for improved resource efficiency; reducing emissions, adhere to the hierarchy of resource efficiency when feasible, showing preference (in order) for the following functions:
    1. Prevention: unnecessary consumptive processes are eliminated
    2. Minimization: Process efficiency is improved
    3. Substitution: Using a more environmentally benign or renewable resource
    4. Reuse, recycling, recovery: In that order, in order to maximize the benefit of resource consumption.

NOTE: Reduction programs should not harm workers and the expectation is not something that is done at "any cost"/excessive cost such that the operations are uncompetitive.

• e. Noise
  • i. Adequate and effective procedures are in place for environmental noise control including boundary noise sources are identified, evaluated, routinely monitored, and controlled.
  • ii. Boundary noise levels are evaluated per the permit conditions upon changes to zoning or land use permits about the facility or if there are any community noise complaints, and boundary noise–level criteria are set accordingly.
  • iii. Adequate and effective process to track and review environmental noise.
  • iv. Appropriate boundary-noise-control devices are installed and maintained to control boundary noise levels include:
    1. A routine preventive maintenance program
    2. System efficiency monitoring program
    3. A program to evaluate the integrity of existing boundary-noise-control devices.

3. Controls & Monitoring

Controls & Monitoring should include:

• a. A program to evaluate the integrity of existing process air emission treatment and noise control systems:
  • i. Regularly test of the air emission and noise control systems
  • ii. Correct any identified deficiencies immediately.
• b. A specific individual or individuals within the facility organization who will be responsible for all aspects of process air emission treatment and noise control.
• c. Workers responsible for operating and maintaining air emissions and noise control equipment have received all necessary training.
• d. Engineering and administrative systems intended to improve resource and equipment operations and efficiency, reducing emissions and noise, are in good repair or operating at high capacity.

4. Records

Records are maintained including:

• a. Inspection records of air emission and their points of discharge are maintained and available for review.
• b. Testing and reporting records are maintained and available for review for air emissions and environmental noise.
• c. Revise the inventory after any changes to the production or process that are likely to affect air emissions.
• d. The list of air emissions and Ozone Depleting Substances is up to date and accurate.

1.0.0 (2024-01-01)

Changed

• Initial release for RBA Code of Conduct 8.0: Comprehensive criterion covering air emissions characterization, monitoring, control, ODS management, and boundary noise aligned with ISO 14001 and Montreal Protocol requirements.