oSIST prEN 50503:2007

Fluids for electrotechnical applications - Standard for the inventory control, management, decontamination and/or disposal of electrical equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs

D145/093: CLC/BTTF 116-1 converted into CLC/TC 10 * D134/030 (taken by majority): BTTF 116-1 to review GB comments in order to either revise draft prepared for vote, or stop project * D135/C151: NWI as CLC/prTR approved (pr=22541)

Flüssigkeiten für elektrotechnische Anwendungen - Norm für Bestandsliste, Überwachung, Handhabung, Dekontaminierung und/oder Entsorgung von PCBs enthaltenden elektrischen Betriebsmitteln und Isolierflüssigkeiten

Fluides pour applications électrotechniques - Norme pour la vérification de l'inventaire, la gestion, la décontamination et/ou l'élimination de l'équipement électrique et des liquides isolants contenant du polychlorobiphényle (PCB)

Tekočine za uporabo v elektrotehniki - Standard za materialno poslovanje, upravljanje, dekontaminacijo oziroma odlaganje električne opreme in izolacijskih tekočin, ki vsebujejo PCB

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Jan-2008
• ICS: 29.040.01 - Insulating fluids in general
• Technical Committee: TPD - Fluids for electrotechnical applications
• Current Stage: 98 - Abandoned project (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Sep-2010
• Due Date: 06-Sep-2010
• Completion Date: 01-Sep-2010
• Ref Project: prEN 50503 - Fluids for electrotechnical applications - Standard for the inventory control, management, decontamination and/or disposal of electrical equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs

Overview

prEN 50503 (CLC) provides operational procedures for the inventory control, management, decontamination and disposal of electrical equipment and insulating liquids containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Developed by CENELEC BTTF 116-1, the standard targets safe, compliant handling of PCB‑containing fluids used in transformers, switchgear and other electrotechnical equipment in line with Directive 96/59/EC and the Stockholm Convention.

Key topics

• Scope and objectives: Procedures to reduce risk to workers, public health and the environment; implement Best Available Techniques (BAT); and ensure technical/economic feasibility for compliance.
• Inventory & communication: Definitions of PCBs and “equipment containing PCBs”, sampling requirements, analytical determinations, and updating/communication of registry data.
• Labelling: Marking requirements for equipment that contains PCBs and for equipment after decontamination.
• Safety management: Guidance on PPE, handling, transport, accident response and fire scenarios specific to PCB‑contaminated insulating liquids.
• Operation & maintenance: Monitoring strategies, test types and frequencies (references to IEC/EN test methods), field screening, maintenance reporting and operator qualification.
• Decontamination: Principles, obligations, and methods for decontaminating mineral insulating oils and other insulating liquids (Askarel, esters, silicones), plus post‑decontamination validation.
• End of use & disposal: Regulatory obligations, prohibited practices and recommended techniques for safe disposal of PCB wastes.
• Annexes: Practical tools including lists of PCB commercial names, test report templates, label examples, communication forms, TEF/TEQ info and typical cleanup levels.

Applications

prEN 50503 is intended for organizations and professionals involved with electrical fluids and equipment:

• Power utilities and grid operators managing transformers and switchgear
• Equipment manufacturers and maintenance contractors
• Environmental and waste management firms handling PCB waste and decontamination
• Testing laboratories performing PCB sampling and analytical determinations
• Regulatory bodies implementing inventory and disposal programs

Using prEN 50503 helps ensure compliant inventory control, safer maintenance practices, effective decontamination and defensible disposal decisions for PCB‑containing insulating liquids and the electrical equipment that uses them.

Related standards

prEN 50503 references and aligns with key test and practice standards, for example:

• EN 61619 (PCB determination), EN 12766 series (PCB analysis), IEC 60422 (insulating oil supervision), IEC 60296 (unused mineral oils), EN 50195 / EN 50225 (safe use of Askarel/oil‑filled equipment)

Keywords: prEN 50503, PCBs, insulating liquids, electrical equipment, inventory control, decontamination, disposal, transformers, insulating oils, sampling, analytical determination, labelling, safety management.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2007
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XSUDYOMDQMHGHNRQWDPLQDFLMRR]LURPDRGODJDQMHHOHNWULþQHRSUHPHLQL]RODFLMVNLK
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Fluids for electrotechnical applications - Standard for the inventory control, management,
decontamination and/or disposal of electrical equipment and insulating liquids containing
PCBs
Flüssigkeiten für elektrotechnische Anwendungen - Norm für Bestandsliste,
Überwachung, Handhabung, Dekontaminierung und/oder Entsorgung von PCBs
enthaltenden elektrischen Betriebsmitteln und Isolierflüssigkeiten
Fluides pour applications électrotechniques - Norme pour la vérification de l'inventaire, la
gestion, la décontamination et/ou l'élimination de l'équipement électrique et des liquides
isolants contenant du polychlorobiphényle (PCB)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 50503
ICS:
29.040.01 Izolacijski fluidi na splošno Insulating fluids in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
December 2006
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS
English version
Fluids for electrotechnical applications -
Standard for the inventory control, management, decontamination and/or
disposal of electrical equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs

Fluides pour applications électrotechniques - Flüssigkeiten für elektrotechnische
Norme pour la vérification de l'inventaire, la Anwendungen -
gestion, la décontamination et/ou l'élimination Norm für Bestandsliste, Überwachung,
de l'équipement électrique et des liquides Handhabung, Dekontaminierung und/oder
isolants contenant du polychlorobiphényle Entsorgung von PCBs enthaltenden
(PCB) elektrischen Betriebsmitteln und
Isolierflüssigkeiten
This draft European Standard is submitted to CENELEC members for CENELEC enquiry.
Deadline for CENELEC: 2007-05-04.

It has been drawn up by CLC/BTTF 116-1.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national
standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CENELEC in three official versions (English, French, German).
A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own
language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to
change without notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2006 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Project: 15849 Ref. No. prEN 50503:2006 E

Draft for Enquiry
Foreword
This draft European Standard has been prepared by CENELEC BTTF 116-1 ‘Fluids for
electrotechnical applications’. It is submitted to CENELEC enquiry.
___________
Draft for Enquiry
- 3 -  prEN 50503:2006
Contents
Introduction. 5
1 Scope. 6
2 Normative references. 6
3 Definitions . 8
4 Inventory and communication. 11
4.1 PCBs for inventory purposes . 11
4.2 Equipment containing PCBs for inventory purposes . 12
4.3 Sampling of insulating liquids. 13
4.4 Analytical determinations of PCBs. 13
4.5 Communication and updating . 13
5 Labelling. 14
5.1 Labelling of equipment containing PCBs. 14
5.2 Labelling of equipments after decontamination. 14
6 Managing safety. 15
6.1 General prescriptions. 15
6.2 Personal protection devices. 16
6.3 Handling and transportation. 16
6.4 Actions in case of accidents. 17
6.5 Fires. 18
7 Operation and maintenance . 18
7.1 General criteria for the evaluation of functional degradation . 19
7.2 Type of monitoring and frequency. 20
7.3 Maintenance interventions. 23
7.4 Field screening tests. 24
7.5 Maintenance report. 24
7.6 Qualification of operators. 24
8 Decontamination . 25
8.1 Warnings. 25
8.2 General principles. 25
8.3 Decontamination obligations.26
8.4 Decontamination methodologies and techniques for mineral insulating oil. 27
8.5 Decontamination methodologies and techniques for other insulating liquids. 28
8.6 Fulfilments after the decontamination . 28
8.7 Qualification of operators. 29
9 End of use. 29
10 Disposal . 29
10.1 Obligations and prohibitions. 29
10.2 Methodologies and techniques for the decontamination and disposal of waste. 29
Annex A (informative) List of PCBs manufacturers and commercial names . 31
Annex B (informative) Example of test report for PCBs inventory. 33
Annex C (informative) Labels for equipments containing PCBs. 34
Annex D (informative) Labels for decontaminated transformers. 35
Annex E (informative) Communication forms - Equipment/Container card . 36

Draft for Enquiry
Annex F (informative) Communication forms - Registration card. 37
Annex G (informative) Communication forms - Decontamination/Disposal card. 38
Annex H (informative) Equivalent Toxicity (TEF) for commercial mixtures of PCBs. 39
Annex I (informative) Aroclor mixtures composition and TEQs. 40
Annex J (informative) Typical PCBs clean up levels for surfaces and soil contamination . 41
Bibliography. 42

Table 1 - PCBs family . 12
Table 2 - Test methods for mineral oils in service (IEC 60422) . 21
Table 3 - Additional test methods for PCB insulating liquids of power and strategic transformers . 21
Table 4 - Additional test methods for Askarel insulated equipment . 22
Table 5 - Recommended types and frequency of tests and inspection. 23
Table 6 - Time deadlines for the decontamination and/or disposal of PCBs. 27

Draft for Enquiry
- 5 -  prEN 50503:2006
Introduction
Insulating liquids with PCBs bases (Askarels) or contaminated by PCBs that might be currently in
use in electrical equipment in the generation, transmission, distribution and use of electric energy.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a mixture of 209 possible congeners (as defined by
EN 61619). Such compounds of a synthetic origin, have been produced and used in various
commercial mixtures at an international level since 1930 (see Annex A). The chemical stability and
relative non flammability features of PCBs created a decisive technological innovation to the point
that a considerable use was generated by the electrotechnical industry.
The same functional features of these substances determined critical incidences of an
environmental character: PCBs are, in fact, classified as hazardous and persistent substances in
the environment, bio-accumulable along the food chain.
It is recognised that oil-filled electrical equipment may have been contaminated by PCBs either
during manufacture or maintenance operations using oils which have been contaminated with
PCBs.
Insulating liquids and equipment containing insulating liquids are classified, respectively, “PCBs”
and “Equipment containing PCBs” when the total concentration of Polychlorinated biphenyls
(209 possible congeners) and correlated compounds PCTs (Polychlorinated terphenyls-
8 557 possible congeners) and PCBTs (Polychlorinated benzyltoluenes-thousands of possible
congeners) present in the insulating liquids exceeds the limits prescribed by current legislation for
the single matrices or destinations (equipment and insulating liquids in operation, waste, used oils,
fuel oils, etc.).
During their life cycle, systems, equipment and insulating liquids in operation can degrade faster, if
not properly managed and maintained, inducing failures that could cause, under limited
circumstances, incidents having a significant environmental impact, that can be correlated to the
specific conditions of the settlement and the site. Thus, during their service life, equipment
containing PCBs should be subject to measures capable of preventing and/or mitigating
degradation processes and the spillage of PCBs, in accordance with Directive 96/59/EC, to ensure
the protection of workers, public health and the environment, as well as complying with the
prescriptions of the Stockholm Convention entered into force on 2004-05-17.
Starting from the eighties, PCBs have been subject to prohibitions and limitations for the marketing
and use: the recent Council Directives and Commission Decisions introduced new obligations for
the inventory, control, management, decontamination and/or disposal of electrical equipment and
insulating liquid containing PCBs, within 2010.

Draft for Enquiry
1 Scope
The scope of this European Standard is to provide operational procedures for the activities of
inventory, control, management, decontamination and/or disposal of equipment and containers
with insulating liquid containing PCBs, in compliance with the Council Directives (96/59/EC,
96/61/EC), Commission Decision (2001/68/EC), and/or with appropriate national or local
legislation.
This European Standard is addressed, in particular, toward the management of insulating liquids
and it has been developed in accordance with the following motivating principles:
a) reduction of risks for workers, public health and the environment, deriving from troubles or
failures of the equipment that could originate fires or the spill of hazardous and persistent
products;
b) implementation of the “Best Available Techniques” and methodologies available for safety,
while taking into account the criteria of the surroundings, self-sufficiency and functional
recovery;
c) technical feasibility of the activities recommended or imposed by current legislation, within the
prescribed time schedules, taking into account the economic feasibility as well.

WARNING: For those CENELEC countries in which the European Directives do not apply, this
European Standard has an informative purpose only.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 12766-1 Petroleum products and used oils – Determination of PCBs and
related products – Part 1: Separation and determination of
selected PCB congeners by gas chromatography (GC) using an
electron capture detector (ECD)
EN 12766-2 Petroleum products and used oils – Determination of PCBs and
related products – Part 2: Calculation of polychlorinated biphenyl
(PCB) content
EN 12766-3 Petroleum products and used oils – Determination of PCBs and
related products – Part 3: Determination and quantification of
polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl
toluenes (PCBT) content by gas chromatography (GC) using an
electron capture detector (ECD)
EN 50195 Code of practice for the safe use of fully enclosed askarel-filled
electrical equipment
EN 50225 Code of practice for the safe use of fully enclosed oil-filled
electrical equipment which may be contaminated with PCBs
EN 60156 Insulating liquids - Determination of the breakdown voltage at
power frequency - Test method (IEC 60156)
EN 60247 Insulating liquids - Measurement of relative permittivity, dielectric
dissipation factor (tan d) and d.c. resistivity (IEC 60247)
EN 60567 Oil-filled electrical equipment - Sampling of gases and of oil for
analysis of free and dissolved gases - Guidance (IEC 60567)
Draft for Enquiry
- 7 -  prEN 50503:2006
EN 60599 Mineral oil-impregnated electrical equipment in service - Guide
to the interpretation of dissolved and free gases analysis
(IEC 60599)
EN 60814 Insulating liquids - Oil-impregnated paper and pressboard -
Determination of water by automatic coulometric Karl Fischer
titration (IEC 60814)
EN 60970 Methods for counting and sizing particles in insulating liquids
(IEC 60970)
EN 61125 Unused hydrocarbon-based insulating liquids - Test methods for
evaluating the oxidation stability (IEC 61125)
EN 61198 Mineral insulating oils - Methods for the determination of
2-furfural and related compounds (IEC 61198)
EN 61619 Insulating liquids - Contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) - Method of determination by capillary column gas
chromatography (IEC 61619)
EN 62021 series Insulating liquids - Determination of acidity (IEC 62021 series)
EN ISO 9001 2000 Quality management systems – Requirements (ISO 9001:2000)
EN ISO/IEC 17025 2000 General requirements for the competence of testing and
calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025:1999)
IEC 60296 Fluids for electrotechnical applications - Unused mineral
insulating oils for transformers and switchgear
IEC 60422 Mineral insulating oils in electrical equipment - Supervision and
maintenance guidance
IEC 60588 series Askarels for transformers and capacitors
IEC 60666 Detection and determination of specified anti-oxidant additives in
insulating oils
IEC 60836 Specifications for unused silicon insulating liquids for
electrotechnical purposes
IEC 60944 Guide for the maintenance of silicone transformer liquids
IEC 61099 Specifications for unused synthetic organic esters for electrical
purposes
IEC 61203 Synthetic organic esters for electrical purposes - Guide for
maintenance of transformer esters in equipment
DIN 51353 Testing of insulating oils; detection of corrosive sulfur; silber strip
test
ISO 2049 Petroleum products - Determination of colour (ASTM scale)
ISO 2719 Determination of flash point - Pensky-Martens closed cup
method
ISO 3016 Petroleum products - Determination of pour point
ISO 3104 Petroleum products - Transparent and opaque liquids -
Determination of kinematic viscosity and calculation of dynamic
viscosity
ISO 3675 Crude petroleum and liquid petroleum products - Laboratory
determination of density - Hydrometer method

Draft for Enquiry
ISO 5662 Petroleum products - Electrical insulating oils - Detection of
corrosive sulfur
ISO 12185 Crude petroleum and petroleum products - Determination of
density - Oscillating U-tube method
ASTM D 971 Standard test method for interfacial tension of oil against water
by the ring method
ASTM D 4951 1996 Standard test method for determination of additive elements in
lubricating oils by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission
spectrometry
ASTM D 5185 1997 Standard test method for determination of additive elements,
wear metals, and contaminants in used lubricating oils and
determination of selected elements in base oils by Inductively
Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1
askarel
synthetic, fireproof insulating liquid which, when decomposed by electrical arc, will evolve
predominantly non combustible gaseous mixtures
[IEV 212-07-08]
NOTE Askarels usually consists of polychlorinated biphenyls with or without the addition of polychlorinated benzenes.

3.2
Best Available Techniques (BAT)
most effective and advanced stage in the development of activities and their operation methods
which indicate the practical suitability of particular techniques for providing in principle the basis for
emission limit values designed to prevent and, where that is not practicable, generally to reduce
emissions and the impact on the environment as a whole:
• ‘techniques’ shall include both the technology used and the way in which the installation is
designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned;
• ‘available techniques’ shall mean those techniques developed on a scale which allows
implementation in the relevant industrial sector, under economically and technically viable
conditions, taking into consideration the costs and advantages, whether or not the techniques
are used or produced inside the member state in question, as long as they are reasonably
accessible to the operator;
• ‘best’ shall mean most effective in achieving a high general level of protection of the
environment as a whole
[Council Directive 96/61/EC]
Draft for Enquiry
- 9 -  prEN 50503:2006
3.3
congener
all the chlorine derivatives of biphenyl, irrespective of the number of chlorine atoms, are termed
congeners
[EN 61619]
3.4
contaminant
foreign substance or material in an insulating liquid, gas or solid, which usually has deleterious
effect on one or more properties
[IEV 212-07-26]
3.5
critical incidence
in some cases, effect of the faulty performance of a component on the performances of a system

3.6
decontamination
procedure of reducing, eliminating and/or decomposing compounds and/or undesired elements on
a specific matrix, to the prescribed concentration limit

3.7
decontamination (from PCBs)
all operations which enable equipment, objects, materials or fluids contaminated by PCBs to be
reused, recycled or disposed of under safe conditions, and which may include replacement,
meaning all operations in which PCBs are replaced by suitable fluids not containing PCBs
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, e]

NOTE  PCBs decontamination techniques may be applied during the service life of the electrical equipments or at the end of their life.
In the latter case these techniques may be considered as waste treatment. When these techniques are applied during the service life
then they should be considered as maintenance activities.

3.8
dehalogenation of PCBs
method of chemical decontamination dehalogenating PCBs down to the prescribed concentration
limit
NOTE  Halogenated compounds include PCTs, PCBTs, PCDFs, PCDDs, etc.

3.9
depolarisation
method of decontamination from polar compounds or oxidation products of dielectric fluids,
capable of reinstating the functional features required.
This process includes selective chemical reaction applying the best available techniques

Draft for Enquiry
3.10
disposal
operations D8, D9, D10, D12 (only in safe, deep, underground storage in dry rock formations and
only for equipment containing PCBs and used PCBs which cannot be decontaminated) and D15
provided for in Annex II A of Directive 75/442/EEC
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, f]

3.11
equipment containing PCBs
any equipment containing PCBs or having contained PCBs (e.g. transformers, capacitors,
receptacles containing residual stocks) which has not been decontaminated. Equipment of a type
which may contain PCBs shall be treated as if it contains PCBs unless it is reasonable to assume
the contrary
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, b]

3.12
failure
end of the capability of a component or system to fulfil the function required

3.13
holder
natural or legal person who is in possession of PCBs, used PCBs and/or equipment containing
PCBs
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, d]

3.14
incineration
controlled combustion to degrade materials, in accordance with current regulations and the best
available techniques
3.15
insulating liquid
liquid with negligibly low electrical conductivity, used to separate conducting parts at different
electrical potentials
3.16
maintenance
combination of all technical and administrative actions, including supervision actions, intended to
retain an item in, or restore it to, a state in which it can perform a required function

3.17
reclaiming
elimination of soluble and insoluble contaminants from an insulating liquid by chemical absorption
means, in order to restore properties as close as possible to the original value

NOTE  The process may include the use of antioxidants.

3.18
risk
probabilistic value, entity of the damage for its probability to occur. It is a function of time, failure
rate, asset value and correlated damages
Draft for Enquiry
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3.19
PCBs
- polychlorinated biphenyls;
- polychlorinated terphenyls;
- monomethyl-tetrachlorodiphenyl methane, monomethyl-dichloro-diphenyl methane, monomethyl-
dibromo-diphenyl methane;
- any mixture containing any of the above mentioned substances in a total of more than
0,005 % by weight
[Council Directive 96/59/EC Art. 2, a]

3.20
polychlorinated biphenyls
biphenyl substituted by one to 10 chlorine atoms

3.21
treatment
procedure using physical or chemical means with the purpose of reinstating the features of the fluid
and/or matrix near the values desired

3.22
used PCBs
any PCBs which is considerable as a waste within the meaning of Directive 75/442/EEC

3.23
waste
any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard

NOTE During their service life, electrical equipment and insulating liquids shall not be considered as waste.
4 Inventory and communication
Electrical equipments containing PCB contaminated insulating liquids are not considered waste
whilst in service even if they are subject to the inventory.
The holders of equipment containing PCBs in volume exceeding 5 dm³ (5 l) are required to provide
inventory and report to the authorities in charge, providing the information specified in 4.5.

NOTE 1 The limit of 5 dm³ is intended as referred to the volume of the insulating liquid (PCBs) contained by the equipment; if this is not
known or can be presumed from the data of the plate or other documents of the manufacturer, it should be referred to the total volume
of the equipment.
NOTE 2 Each capacitor in a bank battery should be considered as a single equipment to which the total volume of 5 dm³ applies.
4.1 PCBs for inventory purposes
With the term of PCBs is intended a family of substances including polychlorinated biphenyls and
the products correlated to them listed in Table 1.

Draft for Enquiry
Table 1 - PCBs family
Symbols synonyms and
Family of substances
commercial mixtures
Askarels, Aroclor (1242 – 1254 – 1260),
1 Polychlorinated biphenyls
Apirolio, Clophen, Pyralene, etc.
PCT
2 Polychlorinated terphenyls
Aroclor (5442 – 5460 – 5060)
Monomethyl-tetrachlorodiphenyl methane,
Polychlorinated benziltoluenes PCBT
3 Monomethyl-dichloro-diphenyl methane,
Ugilec 141, T4
Monomethyl-dibromo-diphenyl methane
Mineral insulating oils
Any mixture containing any of the above
4 mentioned substances in a total of more
Synthetic insulating liquids such as
than 0,005 % by weight
silicones, alkilbenzenes, etc.
NOTE Directive 96/59/EC expresses the limit concentration as a percentage by weight, whereas technical
standards and common use utilise units of measure such as mg/kg or parts per million (ppm). To clarify, the
conversion ratios are listed here below:
• 0,005 % by weight corresponds to 50 mg/kg, or 50 parts per million (ppm);
• 0,05 % by weight corresponds to 500 mg/kg, or 500 parts per million (ppm).
In this standard, concentrations are always expressed in mg/kg.

Consequently, the designation PCBs includes, besides Polychlorinated biphenyls as such, other
families of substances assimilated to them for level of hazard, thus subject to the same restrictions.
The summation of the concentrations of all the substances mentioned herein constitutes the total
PCBs content to which the limits are referred to.
Among all the families of substances belonging by definition to the category of PCBs, the
polychlorinated biphenyls, properly designated, had a capillary dissemination, whereas PCTs and
PCBTs have been marketed and used in a largely more limited scale.
The analytical methods that can be applied in measuring the PCBs content in insulating liquids and
in the relevant containers are described in 4.4.
4.2 Equipment containing PCBs for inventory purposes
For “equipment containing PCBs”, (Directive 96/59/EC), means any equipment containing PCBs or
used to contain PCBs (e.g. transformers, resistors, inductors, reactors, switches, capacitors
receptacles containing residual stock, etc.) which have not been decontaminated. Equipment of the
type which may contain PCBs shall be treated as if it contains PCBs unless it is reasonable to
assume the contrary.
In any case it is also reasonable to assume, that an equipment containing insulating liquid can be
considered “PCBs free” when one or more of the following conditions occur:
a) the equipment has been acquired delivered with a certificate by the manufacturer guaranteeing
that it was PCBs free and that it has not been subject to handling of the dielectric or topping-up
with oils containing PCBs. In case of doubts, it is required that at least a screening test of the
total chlorine content in the insulating liquid is performed (see 7.4);
b) laboratory analytical determinations, performed with methodologies approved by current
regulations are available, certifying a concentration of PCBs not exceeding 50 mg/kg.
In case the conditions of point a) do not occur and it is not possible to perform the measurements
indicated in point b) (because the equipment is sealed, cannot be accessed or it is difficult to take
samples due to operational requirements or any other reason) the equipment should be considered
as “containing PCBs”.
Draft for Enquiry
- 13 -  prEN 50503:2006
Also, the determination of the concentration of PCBs in insulating liquids is recommended:
a) in case there are reasons to believe that the content of PCBs could have been changed as a
result of maintenance operations as mentioned in 7.3;
b) in case of end-of-life and disposal of the equipment or the fluid, and the content of PCBs is not
already known.
4.3 Sampling of insulating liquids
WARNING: Strict control should be undertaken to avoid accidental spills to the environment.
A representative sampling of the insulating liquid should be performed according to IEC 60475:
a) preferably through the lower valve, for equipment equipped with it;
b) through the expansion tank (conservator) for equipment not equipped with lower valve or
difficult to access.
In case the equipment includes independent circuits or compartments (load tap-changer, insulating
bushings, etc.) each part should be sampled.
It is recommended that qualified personnel only performs the sampling. Also the use of throw-away
materials is recommended to prevent the possibility of cross-contaminations. In case the sampling
materials are reused, they must be properly decontaminated prior to a new sampling operation.
Together with the sampling operations, a visual inspection is recommended to evaluate possible
spills from the equipment, their amount and the relevant counter-measures to be taken to ensure
the protection of the environment.
4.4 Analytical determinations of PCBs
The determination of PCBs shall be performed in accordance with Commission
Decision 2001/68/EC-Reference Methods:
- EN 61619 in insulating liquids (Art. 2);
- EN 12766-1, EN 12766-2 and subsequently upgraded versions (EN 12766-3) for petroleum
products and used oils (Art. 1).
The determinations performed prior to the implementation of EN 61619 (gas-chromatographic
method with packed column, etc.) are to be considered in any case, valid for the purposes of the
inventory.
NOTE 1  Test reports relative to the determination of PCBs should include evidences of the correct applications of the best available
techniques and the requisites of competence and quality of the test laboratories (EN ISO/IEC 17025). Result’s uncertainty should be
indicated in the test report.
NOTE 2  An example of a test report for PCB inventory is described in Annex B.

For a proper management of hazardous wastes, laboratories receiving oil samples for analytical
purposes (PCB inventory, transformer maintenance, DGA, etc.) shall identify those PCB
contaminated samples and dispose them off according to local regulations.
4.5 Communication and updating
The communication required by the inventory illustrated in 4.2 should be forwarded to the
authorities, and should provide the following information (unless differently prescribed by
national/local regulations):
a) name or company name and address of the holder;
b) location and description of the equipment or container;
c) quantity of insulating liquids and concentration of PCBs contained by the equipment;
d) dates and types of decontamination/disposal done or planned;
e) quantity of insulating liquids and concentration of PCBs held in containers.

NOTE  At points c) and e) the quantity of insulating liquid is the total mass of insulating liquid contained by the equipment or container.
Concentration of PCBs is the concentration by weight of PCBs measured in the insulating liquid.

Draft for Enquiry
For equipment containing PCBs in concentration exceeding 50 mg/kg (0,005 %) but lower than
500 mg/kg (0,05 %) the notification of the information reference points a) and b) is sufficient.
The inventory of equipment should be made and updated according to EU Directives and local
regulations. In any case every two years (or different timing according to national/local regulations)
the inventory should be re-submitted for updating when a change in the number of equipment or
containers with PCBs as well as the quantity and concentration of PCBs they contain, occurs.
Annexes E, F and G provide examples of the forms to be used for the registration and the
communication of the information required.
5 Labelling
5.1 Labelling of equipment containing PCBs
The labelling shall be according to Council Directive 96/56/EC.
Equipment containing PCBs, as defined by 4.2 shall be identified by a label. An example of label is
shown in Annex C.
It shall include the following indications in black over orange background:
a) name or company name of the holder of the equipment;
b) hazard symbols of the substance;
c) indication of risks and caution recommendations.
The integral text provided in Annex C should be depicted in black over white background.
The label should be printed in a readable and permanent manner on material (rigid plastic,
aluminium, etc.) capable of keeping unchanged the above features under the effect of
environmental agents (climate, light, dusts, etc.) present on the site where the equipment is
installed.
The label should be installed on all equipment containing PCBs having a total volume exceeding
5 dm³ and on the access door to the rooms where the equipment is located. For equipment
containing PCBs in a concentration exceeding 50 mg/kg but lower than 500 mg/kg, besides the
above mentioned label, a second label reading:
CONTAMINATION BY PCBs LOWER THAN 0,05 %
should be installed. Such label should be printed in a readable and permanent manner, as the
preceding one, and can be installed separately or as an appendix to the label previously described.
5.2 Labelling of equipments after decontamination
The labelling should be according to Council Directive 96/56/EC.
After the decontamination, transformers containing PCBs should be marked by a permanent label,
printed in high relief and indented providing in a clear and readable manner the wording:
TRANSFORMER CONTAINING PCBs DECONTAMINATED
as well as the following data:
a) the identification of the replacing fluid (in case of decontamination by treatment of the oil,
without replacing it, example by dehalogenation, indicate “same fluid dehalogenated”);
b) the date in which the decontamination has been carried-out;
c) the company that has performed the decontamination;
d) the concentration of PCBs prior to the decontamination, expressed in percentage by weight;
e) the concentration of PCBs at least after 90 days after the decontamination, expressed in
percentage by weight.
In case the equipment is composed of physically separated elements (radiators, on-load tap-
changers, expansion tank, etc.) located in separate areas/rooms, the label should be applied to
each element of the equipment decontaminated.
Draft for Enquiry
- 15 -  prEN 50503:2006
Annex D provides two examples of the compilation of the label, in case of decontamination by
dehalogenation or in case of replacement of the oil.
6 Managing safety
GENERAL WARNING: In all cases of accidents national/local authorities must be notified in
accordance with current regulations.
The staff properly trained to contain spills and/or performing interventions on failed equipment must
be provided with the appropriate personal safety equipment.
All possible measures capable of mitigating spills and containing the liquid spilled preventing the
entry into sewerage systems and/or open waters must be implemented.
All possible prevention measures mitigating the negative impact of the accident must be
implemented.
NOTE  Specific precautions may be recommended in some countries in accordance with EN 50195 and EN 50225.
6.1 General prescriptions
Because of the danger and bio-persistence of PCBs, a basic importance should be allocated to the
managing sides for safety and the prevention of accidents and personal injuries and for the
safeguard of the health of workers and population and the environment.
All the activities associated with the management of equipment and insulating liquids containing
PCBs, including decontamination and disposal activities, should be performed in compliance with
current regulations relative to safety and safeguard of the health of workers and the environment.
When performing the activities included in the field of application of this standard, appropriate
measures should be implemented for the prevention of leakages and spills into the environment of
liquids containing PCBs, as well as the prevention of conditions leading to fires, should be
implemented.
Possible types of accidents involving equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs include:
a) cold events of low entity, such as dripping and confined spills;
b) cold event of major entity, such as the breaking of the tank and not-confined spills with an
impact on the environment;
c) hot events, such as fires and the formation of highly dangerous products, having an elevated
impact on the environment, such as Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins (PCDD – 75 possible
congeners) and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDF – 135 possible congeners) originated by
uncontrolled thermal oxidation reactions by PCBs.
It is emphasised that PCBs as well as PCDDs and PCDFs are included within persistent
compounds (POPs) regulated by the “Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants” of
22 May 2001. The comparative evaluation of risks associated with PCDDs and PCDFs and the
various commercial mixtures of PCBs (Aroclor) should be carried-out as a function of the relevant
equivalent toxicities (TEF with respect to 2,3,7,8-TCDD) as pointed-out by World Health
Organisation (WHO). The values of equivalent toxicity are indicated in Annex H.
The guide values orientating the decontamination and/or recovery of environmental matrices
involved by spills and/or emissions of PCBs (surfaces, soil) should be based upon criteria
satisfying the requisites of the state-of-the-art adopted at international level (see note below) in
order to prevent determining unreasonable costs associated to objective risks of exposure.

NOTE  Guide values orienting the decontamination and/or recovery of environmental matrices involved by spills and/or emissions of
PCBs should be based upon criteria satisfying the state of the art requisites adapted at national and international level in order to avoid
determining unreasonable costs associated to objective risks of exposure (e.g. Annex J).

The management of equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs, and the relevant operating
procedures, should be developed, as far as possible, in compliance with the criteria of Life Cycle
Management (LCM), in the process of being adopted at European level for electric and electronic
equipment and the evaluation criteria of risk adopted at international level (ISO/IEC Guide 73).

Draft for Enquiry
The activities for the management of equipment and insulating liquids containing PCBs should be
performed in compliance with technical standards EN 50195, EN 50225 and IEC 60588, of which
the main prescriptions are listed here below.
In all cases, the decontamination and/or disposal have to be done according to the timing fixed by
Directive 96/59/EC or national/local regulations (if more restrictive).
6.2 Personal protection devices
In accordance with the prescriptions regarding safety, during the activities related to inspection,
control, current maintenance, decontamination and general handling of equipment and insulating
liquids containing PCBs, appropriate individual protection devices should be adopted.
The type of protection device should be chosen as a function of the risks correlated with the activity
to be performed and the risks existing on the site and/or connected with other work operations
possibly present.
In case of risk of contact with contaminated insulating liquids or surfaces, oil-proof gloves,
protection glasses or screens, oil-proof overalls or aprons should be used, as indicated by code of
practice EN 50225.
During normal operations for maintenance, elimination of leakages or transfer of insulating liquid,
respiratory protection devices are not necessary, since the vapour pressure of PCBs at ambient
temperatures is very low.
Appropriate devices for respiratory protection should be used when Askarel is present, under the
following particular circumstances:
• possible inhalation of gases produced by electric arc;
• possible contact with degradation products of Askarel in case of fire;
• presence of Askarel sprayed as a result of leakage;
• presence of Askarel in small and confined spaces;
• presence of solvents used for cleaning and washing;
• presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl).

NOTE  Personnel should be appropriately trained in the use of respiratory protection devices; operations performed with the use of self-
breathing devices should be supervised by expert personnel, capable of providing first aid in case of accidents.

In case of fire, all unauthorised personnel should immediately evacuate the site.
6.3 Handling and transportation
6.3.1 Handling
The handling of equipment containing PCBs requires the same precautions prescribed for the
handling of normal oil-filled equipment, since no risk is known for human health or the environment,
as long as the PCBs stays inside the equipment.

NOTE  In case the handling coul
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