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Licensing scheme will help vintage cars keep their distinctive sheen

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (306/07) issued by The Government News Network on 19 September 2007

Restorers of vintage vehicles will be able to continue using the traditional paints their businesses need under new proposals published for consultation today.

Defra is seeking views on how an exemption from the European Paints Directive, secured for the UK's vehicle restoration businesses as well as for historic buildings, would operate via a licensing system.

Under the Paints Directive the use of certain paint products is banned. The UK successfully argued for allowing limited continued use of some old style paints to protect the viability of our vintage vehicle restoration industry, and the provision was extended to include historic buildings. The Government's view is that the environmental benefits of enforcing the ban for these specialist businesses are small, and are outweighed by the benefits of safeguarding the future of industries for which the UK has an international reputation of excellence.

The use of certain older style paints is considered important to preserving the value and character of vintage vehicles and historic buildings because of the distinctive finish they produce.

Launching the consultation, Environment Minister Jonathan Shaw said:

"The UK is a centre of excellence for the vintage vehicle restoration industry and that is something of which we are justly proud. We also have a tremendous legacy of historic houses which are a significant attraction for tourists.

"As with all environmental decisions affecting business the respective impacts, costs and benefits need to be carefully weighed up. I believe the proposals we are setting out today strike the right balance and will enable both these sectors to continue to thrive."

The licensing system would be self financing and would require those using the products to pay a licence fee covering the administrative costs of the licensing authorities. The fee would be set by the licensing authority and would be determined by their own costs but preliminary estimates suggest it could be between £10 and £70 for individuals, and between £80 and £200 for businesses. The benefits to the vehicle refinishing sector alone are estimated at between £2m and £8m annually. The consultation exercise will provide a clearer picture of these assessments.

The aim of the Paints Directive is to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, which are harmful to human health and ecosystems, through setting limits for the VOC content of certain decorative paints, varnishes, and vehicle refinishing products. The licensing scheme would permit the use of non-compliant paints in strictly limited quantities, and the UK would have to report annually to the European Commission the quantities and types of paints licensed.

The closing date for responses is 12 December 2007.

Notes for Editors

The consultation document, Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment and draft Statutory Instrument are published at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/paint-buildings-vehicles/index.htm.

Further information on the paints directive is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/paints-directive/index.htm

The Paints Directive was transposed into UK law in November 2005.

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