For the purposes of this regulation, the following shall be understood as:
3.1. Dielectric oils: oil capable of withstanding an electric potential gradient, which gives it insulating properties.
3.2. Colorimetric analysis: qualitative chemical test, which allows identifying the presence or absence of PCBs through the use of a colorimetric test or kit.
3.3. Chromatographic analysis: analytical method used to quantify compounds through the physical separation of substances in a column. Gas chromatography is used for the quantification of PCBs.
3.4. Semi-quantitative analysis: analytical electrochemical screening assay, used to measure chloride ion concentration and thus the presence or absence of PCBs in parts per million in dielectric oil.
3.5. Polychlorinated Biphenyls: PCBs. They are chemical compounds comprising the chlorinated biphenyl molecule with the chemical formula C12H (10-n) Cln, whose properties depend on the quantity and position of chlorine atoms in the molecule.
3.6. Persistent Organic Pollutants (hereinafter POPs): organic substances that possess a combination of physical-chemical properties that allow them to: a) remain in the environment without degradation for exceptionally long periods; b) be distributed throughout the environment as a result of natural processes occurring in soil, water and air; c) accumulate in the fatty tissues of organisms, including humans, and increase in concentration through the trophic chain; and d) present toxicity risks to both humans and wildlife.
3.7. DIGECA: Dirección de Gestión de Calidad Ambiental of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
3.8. Equipment: industrial or electrical equipment that uses dielectric oil, such as transformers, capacitors, reclosers and regulators.
3.9. PCB-free equipment: those equipment whose oil does not contain PCBs.
3.10. Equipment containing PCBs: industrial or electrical equipment that uses oil with PCBs in its operation.
3.11. Equipment contaminated with PCBs: electrical equipment that uses dielectric oil which was contaminated with PCB oil during sampling, regeneration, filtration, maintenance or repair operations of transformers. The PCB concentration in these equipment is equal to or greater than 50 mg/kg.
3.12. Non-PCB equipment or waste: those equipment or waste which are certified as having PCB concentrations less than 50 mg/kg.
3.13. Equipment or waste that may contain PCBs: those equipment or waste which, due to their characteristics or a positive result from colorimetric or semi-quantitative analysis, are presumed to have a PCB content at concentrations equal to or greater than 50 mg/kg and therefore must be stored according to current regulations pending the confirmatory result of chromatographic analysis.
3.14. Equipment with a nameplate: equipment that has information about its manufacturer and its basic technical characteristics, printed on a metallic or plastic plate affixed to the equipment.
3.15. Equipment without a nameplate: equipment that does not have information about its manufacturer and its characteristics, printed on a metallic or plastic plate affixed to the equipment. Equipment with an illegible plate shall be considered equipment without a nameplate.
3.16. Equipment with a double nameplate: equipment that has the original manufacturer's plate and subsequently has a second plate due to reconstruction.
3.17. Authorized Manager: natural or legal person, public, private or mixed economy, dedicated to the total or partial management of waste, who is registered as an authorized manager before the Ministry of Health.
3.18. Total equipment inventory: is the identification of all equipment, in use or disused, that uses dielectric oils and its characterization.
3.19. Inventory of equipment and waste contaminated with PCBs: is the identification and characterization of equipment and waste contaminated with PCBs.
3.20. MINAE: Ministry of Environment and Energy.
3.21. mg/kg: nomenclature referring to milligram per kilogram.
3.22. MS: Ministry of Health.
3.23. Owner person: any natural or legal person, public or private, possessor and/or user of equipment containing dielectric oils, oils or waste containing or contaminated with PCBs. This definition excludes importers or marketers, managers and maintenance workshops for equipment and dielectric oils, provided they are not users of these.
3.24. Waste contaminated with PCBs: all those wastes in any physical state that contain PCBs at a concentration equal to or greater than 50 mg/kg, as well as any material that comes into direct contact with PCBs in any activity, including work clothing, solvents used in cleaning tools and work equipment contaminated with PCBs.
3.25. POPs Information System: is an information system created and administered by DIGECA with the objective of controlling the total equipment inventory and the inventory of equipment and waste contaminated with PCBs of the owner persons. It is available on the DIGECA website and the system is accessed online in a restricted manner.
3.26. PCB treatment: set of operations, processes or techniques through which the degree of contamination of equipment and waste containing PCBs is reduced or eliminated, so that they comply with the limits established in this regulation.
3.27. Users of equipment and dielectric oils: natural or legal person, public or private, who continuously and habitually uses equipment and dielectric oils.
Registration of Owners and Inventories