Performance Specification 8
Performance Specifications for Volatile Organic Compound Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems in Stationary Sources
40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B
From the method — regulatory text
Sections 1.0 and 2.0 of Performance Specification 8—Performance Specifications for Volatile Organic Compound Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems in Stationary Sources, as published at 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B. Retrieved 10/07/2026. The full method is on the eCFR.
1.0 Scope and Application
1.1 Analytes. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
1.2 Applicability.
1.2.1 This specification is to be used for evaluating a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) that measures a mixture of VOC's and generates a single combined response value. The VOC detection principle may be flame ionization (FI), photoionization (PI), non-dispersive infrared absorption (NDIR), or any other detection principle that is appropriate for the VOC species present in the emission gases and that meets this performance specification. The performance specification includes procedures to evaluate the acceptability of the CEMS at the time of or soon after its installation and whenever specified in emission regulations or permits. This specification is not designed to evaluate the installed CEMS performance over an extended period of time, nor does it identify specific calibration techniques and other auxiliary procedures to assess the CEMS performance. The source owner or operator, however, is responsible to calibrate, maintain, and operate the CEMS properly. To evaluate the CEMS performance, the Administrator may require, under section 114 of the Act, the operator to conduct CEMS performance evaluations in addition to the initial test. See section 60.13(c).
1.2.2 In most emission circumstances, most VOC monitors can provide only a relative measure of the total mass or volume concentration of a mixture of organic gases, rather than an accurate quantification. This problem is removed when an emission standard is based on a total VOC measurement as obtained with a particular detection principle. In those situations where a true mass or volume VOC concentration is needed, the problem can be mitigated by using the VOC CEMS as a relative indicator of total VOC concentration if statistical analysis indicates that a sufficient margin of compliance exists for this approach to be acceptable. Otherwise, consideration can be given to calibrating the CEMS with a mixture of the same VOC's in the same proportions as they actually occur in the measured source. In those circumstances where only one organic species is present in the source, or where equal incremental amounts of each of the organic species present generate equal CEMS responses, the latter choice can be more easily achieved.
2.0 Summary of Performance Specification
2.1 Calibration drift and relative accuracy tests are conducted to determine adherence of the CEMS with specifications given for those items. The performance specifications include criteria for installation and measurement location, equipment and performance, and procedures for testing and data reduction.
EssentialRegs notes
Our plain-English reading of Performance Specification 8. Not the method text.
What it measures
Whether a continuous emission monitoring system for volatile organic compounds is acceptable for use, based on its installation, performance and accuracy.
How it works
The system is installed at a representative location and operated through a test period. Its calibration drift is checked over a period of days. Its relative accuracy is determined by comparing its readings with simultaneous results from a reference test method. The system is acceptable when it meets the limits in the specification.
Equipment
The volatile organic compound monitoring system being certified, calibration gases, and the reference method sampling equipment used for the relative accuracy test.
When a rule cites it
Rules that require a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) to demonstrate compliance, report emissions or track an emission limit on an ongoing basis. The system must be certified under the specification before its data count for those purposes, and recertified when the rule or a major system change calls for it.
Notes for compliance staff
Performance Specification 8 applies to monitors that report volatile organic compounds as a group. A system that measures individual compounds by gas chromatography is certified under Performance Specification 9.
Cited by
Provisions in the corpus whose text cites Performance Specification 8. Subscribers land on the provision in the regulation reader; visitors see a preview of it (the GP05 sample opens in full).
40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOO
40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOa
40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOb
40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOc
The sections marked as regulatory text above are reproduced from the CFR. Everything under ‘EssentialRegs notes’ is our reference copy, not the method. The method as published in the CFR controls.