Inspector of Mobile Petrol (VOC) Containers

Any physical person or legal entity can obtain a license for conducting the periodic inspections of containers that are used for the transport of petrol, according to the national legislation (Petroleum Regulations (including Regulatory provision 319/2002)) provided they satisfy the following criteria:

Academic qualifications of persons licensed to conduct the inspections

The person conducting the inspection must:

a) be a mechanical engineer registered in the corresponding field of the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber; or

b) possess of a diploma of the Higher Technical Institute in Mechanical Engineering or other equivalent diploma in the same field, accredited as such by the Cyprus Council of the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications; or

c) possess of a two year diploma in the field of Mechanical Engineering accredited as such by the Cyprus Council of the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications.

The competent authority may examine cases where persons that possess a diploma in engineering, in field other than mechanical engineering, have, academic training or knowledge in the subjects of fluid mechanics, properties and stress of materials and mechanical equipment.

Training

The person conducting the inspections must have:

a) Post degree training in storage, use and handling of petroleum products;

b) Competency in the technical standard CYS EN 112972 or any other technical standard/procedure which provides the same degree of safety and quality control that is approved by the competent authority.

Experience

The person conducting the inspections must have at least three years of experience on petroleum products.

Technical means – building and Inspection area requirements

a) Sufficient covered inspection area for carrying through the relevant operations;

b) Access to the building from at least one public road;

c) Official proof of ownership of the Inspection area, or possession of any legal agreement that ensures that the inspection area can be used for mobile VOC container Inspections;

d) The covered area should have minimum dimensions of 15m x 5m x 5m (LxWxH);

e) The covered area must be accessible from an unobstructed and safe passage that is made of asphalt or concrete. The entry door dimensions must be at least 3.5m width and 4.5m height;

f) The inspection area floor should be made of a material able to withstand the weight of heavy vehicles and equipment used, be flat and non-slippery;

g) Reception area, waiting area, offices, toilets and parking place (15m x 2.5m x 4m) are a must.

Assistants

The person conducting the inspection must have the necessary assistants.

Equipment

a) Water tank with a capacity of at least 8 metric tons;

b) Water pump;

c) Pressure pump with accuracy up to 1 bar;

d) Vacuum pump with accuracy up to -1 bar;

e) Gas detector;

f) Calibrated pressure gauges;

g) Equipment for valve tests.

Mobile VOC container Inspector Application can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or by direct contact with the competent authority:

Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services
Agiou Ilarionos Avenue, Kaimakli, 1426 Nicosia
P.O BOX 29669,1722 Nicosia
Tel.+357 22800301
Fax: +357 22348202
Email: director@ems.mcw.gov.cy
Website: http://www.mcw.gov.cy/ems

1. The application form should be accompanied by the following documents:

   a) Copy of evidence of the last Social Insurance payment;

   b) Copy of the Registration Certificate from the Department of the Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver;

   c) Copy of Degrees/Diplomas, certificates;

   d) Training Completion Certificate;

   e) Proof of relevant experience (employer/s confirmation, employers Social Insurance Payment.);

   f) Top view drawing/s of the covered area (preferred scale 1:100);

   g) Calibration certificates and technical manuals of the relevant equipment. The technical manuals may be presented during the inspection by the competent authority;

   h) Any other evidence or information stated in the technical specifications document of the Competent Authority.

There are no fees applicable.

Administrative Action Against a Competent Authority’s Decision

Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.

The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action

After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.

Appeal Information

An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such a decision was given.

At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated. However, such a revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

The Petroleum Regulations (Amendments N. 2) of 2002 (Κ.Δ.Π. 319/2002) (in the “Applications & Documents”)

Volatile Organic Compounds Inspectors are obliged to comply with the provisions of the Petroleum Regulations (including Regulatory provision 319/2002), as periodically amended and among others to:

a) Issue after every successful inspection ″Certificate of Successful Periodic Inspection″ as shown in the technical specifications document of the Competent Authority;

b) place/complete the relevant plate on the tanker. The relevant plate should be identical to the sample provided in the technical specifications document of the Competent Authority; and

c) keep a registry of all containers inspected and a registry with all ″Certificates of Successful Periodic Inspection″ issued.

The Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services supervises the Licensed Volatile Organic Compounds Inspectors in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the relevant Laws and Regulations and the terms of the license.