All other coating activities
This applies to any activity (other than the repainting or respraying of, or of part of, aircraft or road or railway vehicles) for applying to a substrate, or drying or curing after such application, printing ink or paint or any other coating material as, or in the course of, a manufacturing activity, where the activity may result in the release into the air of particulate matter or of any volatile organic compound, and is likely to involve the use in any 12 month period at any location of:
- 20 tonnes or more of any printing ink, paint or other coating material which is applied in solid form (other than in respect of an activity described in paragraph 2.1(c) of part 4 of Schedule 19)
- 20 tonnes or more of any metal coating which is sprayed on in molten form
- 25 tonnes or more of organic solvents in respect of any cold set web offset printing activity or any sheet fed offset litho printing activity
- 5 tonnes or more of organic solvents in respect of any activity other than one described in sub-paragraph (c)
Important: As this is a solvent activity, there may be additional solvent emissions activities that you must apply for. Please contact SEPA to discuss prior to submitting your application.
This activity is found in Schedule 26, Part 4, Paragraph 62(1) of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations.
Authorisation level
Permit
Public consultation
We may publicly consult on applications that, due to their nature or location, have higher likelihood of environmental impact and community impact.
Read more about public participation and engagement
Fit and Proper Person tests
Fit and Proper Person tests apply to this activity. You will be asked in your application if you have any relevant convictions held by you or any additional persons.
Read more about Fit and Proper Person tests
Fees and charges
An application fee applies to the application of a new authorisation for this activity.
An annual activity fee applies to this activity.
Read our charging information for further information on application and annual activity fees.
Information on the application fees to transfer, vary or surrender a permit that authorises this activity, is in our charging information.
Permit conditions
Permits may contain both standard conditions and conditions specific to the activity and location. The conditions of your permit will be decided when we assess your application. This is to ensure that the appropriate limits and controls are in place to minimise pollution and protect the environment.
If you carry out an activity under a permit authorisation you must comply with the conditions set out in your authorisation. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.
SEPA will not authorise this activity if it poses an unacceptable risk to the environment.
How to apply
In this section you can find out how to apply for a new authorisation and how to apply for a variation, transfer and surrender of an existing authorisation.
New applications
You can apply for a new permit for this activity using our digital application service.
If you are applying for new permit, we would encourage you to contact us with any pre-application enquiries before submitting your application.
Step 1: Download your activity form
You will need to download and complete the following activity form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:
Step 2: Provide supporting information
For a new permit, you will also need to provide the following supporting information:
- Location plan
- Details of whether the activity may impact on SSSIs, SACs and SPAs
- Non-technical summary of your application
- Infrastructure plan
- Detailed description of the proposed process
- Evidence to demonstrate the activity will not harm the environment
- Information on emissions to air and water
- Information on resources and waste
- Proposed site management (to include an odour management plan if the proposed activity is potentially odorous) and accident prevention
If you’re also applying for an organic solvent activity at the same site, you’ll need to provide:
- Total annual solvent consumption
- Substances and preparations used
- VOCs and halogenated VOCs discharge and emission compliance
- VOC compliance routes
If you’re also applying to operate a medium combustion plant (MCP) at the same site, you’ll need to provide:
- Medium combustion plant details
- Habitats assessment – using a screening tool
- Stack details
Step 3: Submit using our digital application service
You can submit your completed application using our digital application service.
Make an application for a new authorisation
Help and guidance
- Glossary of terms
- Printing and coating metal packaging: process guidance note 6/07
- Textile and fabric coating and finishing: process guidance note 6/08
- Coil coating: process guidance note 6/13
- Film coating: process guidance note 6/14
- Coating in drum manufacturing and reconditioning: process guidance note 6/15
- Printing: process guidance note 6/16
- Printing of flexible packaging: process guidance note 6/17
- Paint application in vehicle manufacturing: process guidance note 6/20
- Leather finishing: process guidance note 6/22
- Coating of metal and plastic: process guidance note 6/23
- Adhesive coating including footwear manufacturing: process guidance note 6/32
- Wood coating: process guidance note 6/33
- Surface cleaning: process guidance note 6/45
- Original coating of road vehicles and trailers: process guidance note 6/47
- Capacity & Threshold Guidance for EASR Industrial and Other Emission Activities
- Air Emissions Risk Assessment for Environmental Permits
You might also need
Additional information
Surface coating activities are usually, but not always, associated with either a Schedule 23 solvent emissions activity or an Other solvent activity.