On May 22-23, a group of thirty regional representatives from the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, convened for an intensive training program. The training program centered around newly introduced technical regulations aimed at enhancing the management of equipment and oils contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and ensuring proper handling and risk management. This course was specifically tailored to provide regulatory bodies with a thorough understanding of monitoring procedures and enforcement mechanisms related to PCB legislation.
The training program emphasized the significance of quick testing methods for identifying PCBs in transformer oil. Participants were introduced to the L2000DXT PCB/Chloride Analyzer System, which enables on-site analysis for measuring PCB concentrations in the oil. The inspectors were instructed on the proper collection of transformer oil samples and their preparation for analysis. The participants actively utilized the L2000DXT Analyzer to detect and quantify PCBs themselves.
The training program was organized as part of the GEF-funded project “PCB-free Electricity Distribution in Georgia.” The primary objective of this project is to ensure the elimination of PCBs from electricity distribution systems in Georgia.
Mr. Alverd Chankseliani, Head of Waste and Chemicals Management Department, emphasized the significance of the capacity strengthening event by stating: “This training program holds particular importance for the Ministry as it aligns with the effective implementation of the newly adopted rules for PCB analysis, maintenance, labeling, and risk management, which became mandatory for private companies in Georgia from 20th December 2022. These requirements, integrated via amendments to the Technical Regulation on Hazardous Waste Collection and Treatment, demand compliance from organizations handling or generating used oils, electrical transformers, or other equipment containing PCBs ”
The project “PCB-free Electricity Distribution in Georgia” is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by UNIDO, with its primary beneficiary being the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA). The project is executed by the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC).
