You must have a compliance certificate for stationary container systems holding hazardous substances above certain quantities. A compliance certificate certifies that your tank or process container and associated equipment is safe and complies with the rules.

What is a stationary container system?

A stationary container system is a tank or a process container together with its associated pipe work and fittings normally located in one place. 

Read more on stationary container systems:

• Stationary container systems
• Validity Periods of Compliance Certificates for Stationary Container Systems - Safe Work Instrument 2018

Types of compliance certificates

You may need both a stationary container system compliance certificate for your tank or process container and a location compliance certificate for your tank or process container.

Stationary container system compliance certificate

We have produced guidance to help you work out if your stationary container system needs a compliance certificate.

See our quick guide:

You can also use the flowchart below:

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What are the threshold requirements for a stationary container system compliance certificate?

Requirements for stationary tanks

You must have a stationary container system compliance certificate for your tank if it is:

• a below ground tank (including tanks that are covered by earth or other material) holding more than 250 L
• an above ground tank, holding more than 2,500 L of class 3.1A and 3.1B substances (eg petrol or solvents)
• an above ground tank, holding more than 5,000 L of substances other than class 3.1A or 3.1B (eg diesel, caustic soda and corrosives)
• an above ground tank, holding more than 500 L of gas
• used with a vapouriser, or
• used with a dispenser.
• a tank that provides fuel to an oil burning installation which has a capacity of at least:
  • 500 litres for a class 3.1D substances (eg diesel and waste oil) supplying an internal combustion engine
  • 50 litres for class 3.1A, 3.1B and 3.1C substances (eg petrol) supplying an internal combustion engine
  • 60 litres for class 3.1 flammable substances supplying a burner 
• a tank that provides fuel to an oil burning installation with a service tank.

Requirements for process containers

You must have a stationary container system compliance certificate for your process container if it is:

• below ground (including process containers that are covered by earth or other material) of any size
• above ground, greater than 250 L and intended for use with a hazardous gas, or
• above ground, greater than 1,000 L and intended for use with a hazardous liquid.

You don’t need a compliance certificate if:

• your process container is made from fire-resistant material and complies with the Health and Safety in Employment (Pressure Equipment, Cranes and Passenger Ropeways) Regulations 1999, or
• your tank contains LPG.

Location compliance certificate

Location compliance certificates apply to workplaces where flammable, oxidising, toxic or corrosive substances are present in quantities above certain thresholds.

A location compliance certificate certifies that the location where hazardous substances are used and stored are compliant with the Regulations.

Compliance plans

What is a compliance plan?

If your tank or process container was constructed before 1 July 2006, and doesn’t comply with the requirements for a compliance certificate, you might need a compliance plan. A compliance plan is not an approval for a stationary container system, but is a way to meet compliance requirements.

How to get a compliance plan

1. Have your stationary tank or process container assessed.

A compliance certifier will examine your stationary container system and identify anything that doesn’t comply with the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017. 

The compliance certifier provides a report on the system, including how well the system has been maintained and repaired in accordance with its original design standard if known.

2. Apply for a compliance plan

Once the compliance certifier has examined and reported on the stationary container system, an application for a compliance plan may be made.

You, or the compliance certifier, need to complete the application below.

If you have a valid stationary container compliance certificate, you can apply for an extension: