Version 5 of the Technical Guide for the implementation of the RAPQ

The Ministry of Industry and Tourism has published the Version 5 of the Technical Guide for the implementation of the Regulation on the Storage of Chemical Products (RAPQ), a key interpretative document that updates and expands the application criteria of Royal Decree 656/2017, incorporating new technical sheets and strengthening the coordination with recent regulations such as RD 164/2025.

The new version of the technical guide reinforces its role as a reference tool for the practical application of RAPQ, maintaining its non-binding nature and its objective of ensuring a harmonized interpretation of the regulation within the industrial sector. This update is the result of a previous participatory process, where new sheets and revisions of technical criteria were submitted for public consultation, incorporating the experience accumulated by authorities and industry stakeholders.

Among the most relevant aspects introduced in this version:

• Strengthening coordination between RAPQ and RD 164/2025, incorporating specific criteria for their joint application.
• Expansion and update of interpretative sheets (RAQ), focused on practical inspection and storage scenarios.
• Development of technical aspects in different Complementary Technical Instruction (ITCs), especially ITC MIE APQ-1, APQ-5, APQ-9 and APQ-10, the latter being key for storage in mobile containers.
• New criteria on periodic inspections, regulatory control and calibrated equipment.
• Inclusion of interpretations in complex areas such as energy storage or substances without a specific ITC.
• Update of transitional provisions, with direct impact on existing installations.

The guide maintains its structure based on technical queries and responses, enabling a practical approach to common situations in the design, legalization, operation and inspection of chemical storage installations. In this sense, Version 5 represents an evolution compared to previous versions, expanding the range of cases covered and reducing uncertainty in the application of the regulation.

In practice, this update reinforces the need to review criteria applied to existing installations and projects, particularly regarding the integration of fire safety requirements and storage in mobile containers, areas with greater technical complexity. In this context, at Siam. We keep our clients informed about the evolution of RAPQ interpretation criteria in Spain, including its coordination with recent regulations such as RD 164/2025.

The official guide can be consulted on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.