Nearly 3.5 percent of petrol samples and diesel fuel controlled by the Trade Inspection in 2010 did not meet the quality standards – the year before it was just over 3 percent. The quality of diesel fuel has improved, but unfortunately that of LPG has deteriorated – almost 4 percent of inspected LPG samples were questioned, compared to 0.78 percent in 2009

Since 2007 inspectors of the Trade Inspection have been controlling nearly all types of fuels available in the market - diesel fuel, petrol, LPG, bio-fuels and light fuel oil. The Act on fuel quality monitoring and scrutinizing system, which has been in force for four years, allows for performing inspections at any stage of distribution - from producers through warehouses, wholesalers, transport to petrol stations. The results of the inspection show that there has been a definite decrease in the sulphur content in the samples of liquid fuels.

It is worth noting that non-compliance of fuel parameters with standard requirements negatively affects the operation of engine – it can cause an increase in fuel consumption, deterioration of engine’s technical condition, and consequently its failure. Thus, motorists have to bear the costs of engine repairs and overhauls as well as put up with driving discomfort.

The report on random inspections performed in 2010 demontrates that there has been a slight deterioration in the quality of liquid fuels at petrol stations - 3.46 percent of the tested samples did not meet the standards (the year before it was 3.08 percent). Although there has been an improvement in the case of diesel fuel - 3.49 percent of the samples failed to meet the requirements (3.75 percent in 2009), the quality of petrol poured into tanks has deteriorated - 3.44 percent of the tested samples (2.58 percent – the year before).

The greatest irregularities in quality standards were found in the following voivodeships: Łódzkie – 13.79 percent of the inspected stations, Opolskie – 10.53 percent, Podlaskie – 11.76 percent, Wielkopolskie – 7.69 percent and Małopolskie – 6.25 percent

The random quality inspection of LPG conducted in 2010 showed irregularities in the case of 3.72 percent of the inspected petrol stations (the year before it was 0.78 percent). The greatest irregularities in quality standards were found in the following voivodeships: Łódzkie – 13.79 percent of the inspected stations, Opolskie – 10.53 percent, Podlaskie – 11.76 percent, Wielkopolskie – 7.69 percent and Małopolskie – 6.25 percent.

The Trade Inspection has also controlled the quality of liquid bio-fuels offered in the market. The inspection carried out nationwide revealed irregularities in six samples of fuel - 12.5 percent of the tested samples. In total 47 stations and one wholesaler  were inspected.

The Trade Inspection also performed inspections at stations indicated in consumer complaints, by law enforcement authorities and those where irregularities were identified in the previous years. Out of 618 samples of diesel fuel and petrol collected at 536 stations, the quality of 31 was questioned,  including 21 samples of diesel fuel (5.03 percent) and 10 petrol samples (4.17 percent). Among the stations where the quality of fuel offered was questioned in previous years 4.43 percent of the tested samples were questioned (13.2 percent in 2009). The greatest non-compliance with the quality requirements was found in the following voivodeships: Kujawsko-Pomorskie (12 percent), Zachodniopomorskie (10.61 percent), Mazowieckie (8.82 percent). No irregularities were found in Lubelskie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships.

On the other hand, 34 samples were collected from wholesalers.Theinspectors of TI had reservations only in the case of one diesel fuel sample (4.44 per cent in 2009), petrol quality parameters were not exceeded (also no reservations in 2009).

Additionally, the inpectors of Trade Inspection tested seven samples of light fuel oil collected from seven undertakings towards the content of sulphur - all of them met the quality requirements. The inspection covered six voivodeships.

In the case of diesel fuel, mostly too low ignition temperature and the non-compliance within sulphur content were questioned. Regarding the latter, the parameter  ranged from 13.7 mg/kg to 535 mg/kg, with the standard norm 10 mg/kg. The standard temperature for ignition is 55ºC – at some stations it was below 40ºC. Too low ignition temperature threatens with the explosion of diesel fuel vapours while filling up. On the other hand, high sulphur content contributes to engine corrosion and wear of some engine components.  

In the case of petrol, most reservations concerned the non-compliance of vapours pressure – which results in problems with engine start up, or even total engine failure stemming from the creation of vapour locks. Moreover, the inspectors questioned the failure to meet the requirements of MON (Motor Octane Number), which might cause irregular consumption of fuel.

In the case of LPG, the most common violation regarded the parameter describing the corrosive effect of LPG on copper.  The corrosion causes inter alia a damage of engine components as well as accelerated wear of its components.

As a result of inspections carried out in 2010, the TI  lodged to prosecution authorities 57 notifications on suspected committment of a crime. So far, proceedings were initiated in 38 cases: two indictments were filed, 23 cases were discontinued due to lack of features of a crime, failure to find the offender or negligible negative effects of the act, 7 proceedings are still pending. The existing regulations provide severe penalties for selling poor quality fuel – i.e. fine of up to PLN 1 million or imprisonment from 3 months up to 5 years.

Furthermore, the Trade Inspection issued 15 decisions ordering non-compliant liquid fuels to be withdrawn from the market and provided the President of the Energy Regulatory Office with information on 70 petrol stations and wholesalers, which infringed the terms of liquid fuel licenses and the regulations of the Energy Law Act including the 37 stations from inspection performed in 2009. The President of ERO has the power to prohibit undertakings infringing the conditions of their licenses from selling fuel.

If the fuel damaged the engine, thus resulting in the consumer bearing the cost of repairs, one should file a complaint to the station owner, presenting the proof of purchase. If the owner refuses to accept the complaint, one can attempt to enforce the rights before the courts, using the free assistance of consumer ombudsmen. Information about stations selling poor quality fuel can be forwarded to the Office on a special form.

If during the refuelling to the full, the pump shows more litres than the tank of the vehicle can actually fit, one should report this fact to the Central Office of Measures. Inspectors of the Central Office of Measures may control the indicated station and check if the pump meter does in fact indicate incorrect amount of fuel poured into the tank.

Updated lists of outlets inspected by the Trade Inspection can be found on the website of UOKiK.

Additional information for the media:
Małgorzata Cieloch, Spokesperson for UOKiK
Department of International Relations and Communication
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Tel. (+48 22) 827 28 92, 55 60 314
faks (+48 22) 826 11 86
E-mail:  [SCODE]bWFsZ29yemF0YS5jaWVsb2NoQHVva2lrLmdvdi5wbA==[ECODE]