EIGA Newsletter

It is with great sadness that we have learned that Michael Mifsud passed away on 26 January.
Michael was an EIGA Board Member since 2021 and was a great supporter of EIGA.

Michael also helped us organising the EIGA Summer Session in Malta in 2019. He was very welcoming when we were in Malta and played his role as ambassador of his country.
He was a charming and smiling person, always ready to help. It was always a joy to meet him and his wife Liliana.

He will be missed.
Our condolences go to his wife Liliana, his family and colleagues.

World Hydrogen 2024

We’re delighted to be supporting the World’s largest dedicated hydrogen event, the World Hydrogen 2024 Summit & Exhibition, taking place 13-15 May in Rotterdam.

Welcoming over 15,000 decision makers, Energy Ministers, and CEOs from over 100 countries – it’s the leading global event in the hydrogen industry.
Get a visitor ticket here: Registration – World Hydrogen Summit 2024 (world-hydrogen-summit.com)

2040 Climate Targets

On 6 February, the European Commission published its Communication entitled “Europe's 2040 climate target and path to climate neutrality by 2050 building a sustainable, just and prosperous society”, proposing 90% net GHG reductions by 2040.

Communication on a recommended 2040 emissions reduction target
Impact assessment
Questions and Answers
Factsheet

An analysis is available on the EIGA Blog (for EIGA Members only).

Industrial Carbon Management

On 6 February, the European Commission published its Communication entitled “Towards an ambitious Industrial Carbon Management for the EU”, aimed at developing a strategy to promote CCS, CCU and carbon removals (DACCS, BECCS and any other innovative solution).

Industrial Carbon Management Communication
Questions and Answers
Factsheet

An analysis is available on the EIGA Blog (for EIGA Members only).

350+ Thanks

An impressive number of 61 publications were drafted or reviewed in 2023 to maintain the best practices in the EIGA library.
With over one publication per week on average, it demonstrates a committed effort from subject matter experts.
See here an overview of these publications on our website.
This accomplishment is undoubtedly owed to the dedication of the 350+ experts participating in the EIGA working groups. Their expertise and collaboration have contributed significantly to keeping the EIGA library up to date and valuable as a resource.

Industrial Gases Council

The IGC met on 22 and 23 January. A wide range of topics and the activities of working groups were discussed. One of the most significant among those is the Technical bulletin on Hydrogen interface for trailer to HRS. This publication is in review phase and can be used in the future in the relevant work by Hydrogen Council – ITT#3 and also serve as a solid base for standardisation hopefully on both CEN and ISO levels in regard of hydrogen transfer from infrastructure to refuelling stations.

This was also the first occasion that WG-21 ‘Process Safety’ was represented as a new permanent working group and had the opportunity to report on ongoing activities and future work items.

WG2 Cylinders

This month, EIGA with several WG2 Cylinders met at DIN in Berlin for the plenary meetings of the ISO TC 58 Gas Cylinders and its SC4 Cylinder Operational Requirements.
We highlight two topics of interest to our industry:

Large Tubes
The definition for Large Tubes: means an element of a MEGC of seamless steel or composite construction having a water capacity exceeding 3 000 litres but not more than 15 000 litres;”
The work on ISO/TS 17519 ‘Gas cylinders –Refillable permanently mounted composite tubes for transportation’ will be continued directly under ISO/TC 58, however, with close involvement from SC 2, SC3 and SC 4.
There is an agreement that it would be preferable to approach the UN SCoETDG sooner rather than later i.e. a document should be submitted to the Summer Session, June 2024. The document could either be a Formal Paper – For Information Only, or an INF Paper
It was preliminary agreed that this Paper would be jointly submitted by CGA, EIGA, ECMA and ISO/TC 58

Hydrogen Taskforce TF1
The plenary confirmed the creation of a Taskforce on Hydrogen Economy.
ISO TC 58 can contribute to Hydrogen Economy, noting whether they have a leading role, ie in the transport of dangerous goods or a supporting role (eg mobility), in the development of documents.
ISO/TC 58 and its SCs’ are to carry out a gap analysis of their standards, relating to the requirements of the Hydrogen Economy, and ensuring that their standards are being satisfactorily referenced by other TCs and SCs.
They continue to pursue a strong and cooperative liaison with ISO/TC 197, focusing on Vocabulary and Materials Compatibility, in the first instance.

DOC 136/24 - Selection of Personal Protective Equipment

(Revision of Doc 136/17)
(Harmonised publication)

The first principle of safety risk mitigation should be elimination, substitution and engineering controls. When exposure to hazards cannot be completely engineered out from the work area and tasks, and when safe work practices and other forms of administrative controls cannot provide sufficient additional protection, then a supplementary method of control is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
This publication provides guidance on a work process for selecting and using PPE at work. Selection tables are included which are general examples of PPE for protecting personnel against hazards that could cause harm.
The publication is intended to provide guidance and examples in selection and use of PPE. It supplements other techniques for assessing and controlling risk and is intended for all involved in the selection of PPE.

DOC 161/24 - Compatibility between Aluminium Alloy Cylinders and Halogenated Gases

(Revision of Doc 161/16)

This publication details the criteria necessary to establish the compatibility between aluminium alloy cylinders and gas mixtures exceeding the overall limit of 0.1% (mol/mol) reactive halogenated components.
Issues include mixture feasibility, destructive and non-destructive testing, gas purity and concentrations, and cylinder controls.

DOC 184/24 - Methods to Prevent the Premature Activation of Relief Devices on Transport Tanks

(Revision of Doc 184/18)

This publication applies to tanks transported primarily by rail and sea, where the pressure of the tank cannot be controlled during the transport operation as they are unaccompanied. This publication is intended for all those who are responsible for the shipping of UN portable tanks, tank containers and demountable tanks to ensure the maximum holding time is achieved.

DOC 247/24 - Hydrogen Overview - Distribution-Storage-Applications

This publication provides an overview of distribution methods, storage systems and applications of hydrogen within Europe. It is written in a way to be understood by all, including newcomers to the industry.