Article 5
Mobile containers 1. Mobile containers shall be designed and operated in accordance with the following requirements: (a) mobile containers shall be designed and operated so that residual vapours are retained in the container after unloading of petrol; (b) mobile containers which supply petrol to service stations and terminals shall be designed and operated so as to accept and retain return vapours from the storage installations at the service stations or terminals. For rail tankers this is only required if they supply petrol to service stations or to terminals where intermediate storage of vapours is used; (c) except for release through the pressure relief valves, the vapours mentioned in subparagraphs (a) and (b) shall be retained in the mobile container until reloading takes place at a terminal. If after the unloading of petrol the mobile container is subsequently used for products other than petrol, in so far as vapour recovery or intermediate storage of vapours is not possible, ventilation may be permitted in a geographical area where emissions are unlikely to contribute significantly to environmental or health problems; (d) the Member States' competent authorities must ensure that road tankers are regularly tested for vapour tightness and that vacuum/pressure valves on all mobile containers are periodically inspected for correct functioning. 2. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply: (a) from the date referred to in Article 10 for new road tankers, rail tankers and vessels; (b) three years from the date referred to in Article 10 for existing rail tankers and vessels if loaded at a terminal to which the requirement of Article 4 (1) applies; (c) for existing road tankers when retrofitted for bottom loading in accordance with the specifications laid down in Annex IV. 3. By way of derogation, the provisions of paragraph 1, subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) shall not apply to losses of vapours resulting from measuring operations using dipsticks in relation to: (a) existing mobile containers; and (b) new mobile containers which come into operation during the four years following the date referred to in Article 10.