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DME publishes new fuel specifications
South Africa's Department of Minerals and Energy on Thursday announced that it had published regulations relating to fuel specifications.
These regulations, which set out specifications and standards for petrol, diesel and biodiesel fuels that may be sold for consumption in the Republic of South Africa, were published in the Government Gazette of June 23.
With regard to fuel specifications and standards, the industry has previously been self-regulating, voluntarily adhering to all the relevant SABS national standards.
Consultations between the department and all stakeholders resulted in the prohibition of the addition of lead-based additives into petrol and the reduction of the sulphur content of diesel from January 1.
The prohibition of lead and sulphur reduction provide both positive environmental health impacts and improved engine performance characteristics, it said.
Now, however, the regulations ensure compliance with this as well as setting out the permitted petrol and diesel grades, inclusive of biodiesel and biodiesel blends.
It also prohibits certain activities such as offering for sale, selling or providing one grade of petrol or diesel as another grade of petrol or diesel, as the case may be.
With regard to fuel specifications and standards, the industry has previously been self-regulating, voluntarily adhering to all the relevant SABS national standards.
Consultations between the department and all stakeholders resulted in the prohibition of the addition of lead-based additives into petrol and the reduction of the sulphur content of diesel from January 1.
The prohibition of lead and sulphur reduction provide both positive environmental health impacts and improved engine performance characteristics, it said.
Now, however, the regulations ensure compliance with this as well as setting out the permitted petrol and diesel grades, inclusive of biodiesel and biodiesel blends.
It also prohibits certain activities such as offering for sale, selling or providing one grade of petrol or diesel as another grade of petrol or diesel, as the case may be.
