Repainting or respraying aircraft or railway vehicles
This activity applies to the repainting or respraying aircraft or railway vehicles or parts of them if the activity may result in the release into the air of particulate matter or of any volatile organic compound and the carrying on of the activity by the person concerned at the location in question is likely to involve the use in any period of 12 months of;
(a) 20 tonnes or more of any paint or other coating material which is applied in solid form,
(b) 20 tonnes or more of any metal coating which is sprayed on in molten form, or
(c) 5 tonnes or more of organic solvents.
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 as defined in Schedule 26 Part 4 Paragraph 62(3) 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, 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
- Coating and recoating of aircraft and aircraft components: process guidance note 6/40
- Coating and recoating of rail vehicles: process guidance note 6/41
- SEPA Odour guidance
- 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.