It never rains but it pours
Posted: 31 Mar 2016 11:36 pm
A very good friend in the oil industry (he's an area dealer development manager for one of the "big three" has warned me of an "in preparation" set of EU standards that might well give us all some grief!
Think back to when cellulose paint became the "worlds most dangerous substance" and became restricted to registered specialists only - almost killed the ability to carry out diy paintwork due to the costs and equipment needed to spray 2 pack safely.
Well the unmentionables are intending to do the same with lubricants - particularly engine oil. The worry it seems is not with new, clean oil, but with the handling of oil drained from engines - in keeping with current thoughts that just about everything can kill us - we are at risk from used oil.
(It appears combustion products can contaminate oil in service and research has shown the mix to be carcinogenic - probably by prolonged immersion of rabbits in a waste oil tank, or using beagles as rag wipes).
Basically to carry out an oil change you will need not only COSH training but be employed by a company that holds a waste management licence (which in itself will be an extra burden and expense on small garages). Even if you are still able to buy engine oil (most uncertain) and think you can "get away with it" you'll still have to get rid of the old oil - recycling centres will no longer accept it from domestic sources.
I've no doubt in time "ways" will be found around but meanwhile yet more EU attitude that anything enjoyable is dangerous and must be BANNED.
Mac.
Think back to when cellulose paint became the "worlds most dangerous substance" and became restricted to registered specialists only - almost killed the ability to carry out diy paintwork due to the costs and equipment needed to spray 2 pack safely.
Well the unmentionables are intending to do the same with lubricants - particularly engine oil. The worry it seems is not with new, clean oil, but with the handling of oil drained from engines - in keeping with current thoughts that just about everything can kill us - we are at risk from used oil.
(It appears combustion products can contaminate oil in service and research has shown the mix to be carcinogenic - probably by prolonged immersion of rabbits in a waste oil tank, or using beagles as rag wipes).
Basically to carry out an oil change you will need not only COSH training but be employed by a company that holds a waste management licence (which in itself will be an extra burden and expense on small garages). Even if you are still able to buy engine oil (most uncertain) and think you can "get away with it" you'll still have to get rid of the old oil - recycling centres will no longer accept it from domestic sources.
I've no doubt in time "ways" will be found around but meanwhile yet more EU attitude that anything enjoyable is dangerous and must be BANNED.
Mac.