New Fuel Quality Standards for Australia
New national fuel quality standards for petrol and diesel come into effect from 1 January 2002. The standards implement the Commonwealth Government’s commitments to facilitate the adoption of better, cleaner emission control technology and the more effective operation of engines, and to reducing pollution and vehicle emissions. Over the next ten years, the amount of noxious pollutants emitted by vehicles, including benzene, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, and particles, will be significantly reduced as a direct result of these standards. The standards will lead to cleaner air, which is good for our health, for local and global environments, and for reducing the economic and social costs of illnesses linked to vehicle pollution. The Commonwealth legislation includes various offence provisions, including, in relation to: Ø the supply of fuel that does not comply with a standard made, or approval issued, under the Act; Ø alteration of fuel that is the subject of a fuel standard; and Ø the supply or importation of a fuel additive that is entered in the Register of Prohibited Fuel Additives. Penalties under the Act can be substantial. For example, individuals face a maximum penalty of $110,000 for altering or supplying fuel that does not comply with a fuel standard. Corporations face a maximum penalty of $550,000 for similar offences. The importation or supply of a fuel additive that is entered in the Register of Prohibited Fuel Additives established under the Act carries a maximum penalty of $55,000 for an individual and $275,000 for a corporation. Environment Australia has developed a monitoring, compliance and enforcement program for the implementation of the new fuel standards. The overall budget for implementation of the Act exceeds $8 million for the four years from July 2001. From 1 January 2002 a team of inspectors from all states and territories will be conducting random sampling throughout the fuel distribution chain. Random sampling and testing is one of three strategies to monitor compliance with the legislative provisions. Environment Australia will also rely on industry notification and reporting; and mechanisms for consumer and/or agency information sharing regarding the activities of fuel producers and blenders, importers, vehicle operators and service station operators and distributors. Industry notification and reporting Under the Act fuel suppliers must provide documents that will accompany fuel along the supply-chain, from importers and producers, through distributors, and to service station outlets. At each stage before supply to the consumer, these documents must include a statement that the fuel complies with the relevant fuel quality standard. This largely involves industry self-regulation. However, industry’s documentation, and related production and distribution processes, are likely to be investigated if ‘off-spec’ fuel is detected through a random sampling program undertaken by Environment Australia. Failure to provide accurate information about compliance with national fuel quality standards and other prescribed matters is an offence attracting significant penalties under the Act. information sharing The third facet of the monitoring, compliance and enforcement program for fuel quality standards will involve information-sharing arrangements. Motoring clubs, fair trading, consumer, and environment protection agencies in each state and territory, are regular recipients of consumer complaints regarding fuel quality. Special arrangements are being put in place with these bodies to encourage information-sharing. FUEL PURCHASES Please remember that when purchasing fuel from Dermody Petroleum it is covered by the BP Fuels Guarantee and complies with all requirements under the act and the statutory documentation. If in doubt about whether any fuel, or the documentation provided with it, complies with the requirements of the Act, contact the Director, Clean Fuels and Vehicles, Atmosphere and Sustainable Transport Branch, Environment Australia, ph. 6274 1581, fax. 6274 1172. Enquiries may also be directed to Environment Australia's Community Information Unit, phone: 1800 803 772, email ciu@ea.gov.au.
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