The Trade Inspection checks throughout the year whether fuels available on the domestic market meet the requirements. Fuel producers, wholesalers, storage entities and entrepreneurs operating gas stations are subject to inspections. The selection of inspection points also results from signals and complaints from drivers and customers.
– During the first fuel quality inspection in 2003, as many as 30 percent tested samples did not meet the requirements. Thanks to the actions taken, many irregularities were removed from the market. For several years, the percentage of irregularities has been below 4 percent. And although the number of all irregularities detected in 2023 increased compared to 2022, the quality of liquefied gas LPG improved – all samples met the quality requirements – says the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, Tomasz Chróstny.
Quality in voivodeships
As we read in the report of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, in 2023, the Trade Inspection examined the quality of 1,584 samples of liquid fuels (832 samples of gasoline and 752 of diesel oil), 360 samples of LPG and 2 samples of light fuel oil. During laboratory tests, specialists showed that 41 samples of liquid fuels (34 diesel oil, 7 gasoline) did not meet the requirements, which constitutes 2.59%. examined.
"The percentage of questioned fuel samples in individual voivodeships was clearly different. During random inspections of gas stations, we found the most irregularities in the following voivodeships: Wielkopolskie (5.75 percent examined), Podlaskie (4.76 percent), Małopolskie (3.81 percent) and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship (3.64%), while in the case of inspections of entrepreneurs selected on the basis of information from drivers – in the following voivodeships: Pomeranian Voivodeship (25%), Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (22.22%) and Lesser Poland Voivodeship (10%). – all irregularities concerned diesel fuel. – we read in the statement of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection.
As a result of the inspection, the inspectors did not question any sample of LPG or light fuel oil.
Questionable parameters
The irregularities detected in diesel oil as a result of laboratory tests concerned: oxidative stability, which determines the diesel's resistance to aging (low is manifested by fuel cloudiness and the formation of resin deposits in the tank and fuel system, which may lead, for example, to clogging of fuel filters or injection valves), ignition temperature (too low may pose a risk of explosion of oil vapors when pouring from the distributor), water content (the presence of water in the fuel is most often due to a leak in the tank and may lead to corrosion of the fuel system).
In gasoline, the inspectors questioned: vapor pressure (the parameter has a different value for summer and winter fuel, which determines the ease of starting the engine at low temperatures), motor octane number (too low an octane number is the reason for knocking combustion, loud engine operation and higher fuel consumption). , volatility index (affects the ease of starting the engine).
17 sales bans
As a result of the inspection, provincial inspectors of the Trade Inspection issued 17 decisions to withdraw fuels from the market due to significant exceedances of quality requirements. They also informed the Environmental Protection Inspectorate.
In 25 cases, they notified law enforcement authorities of the suspicion of committing a crime in connection with the introduction of fuel of inappropriate quality to the market, and also informed other authorities about the results, including the President of the Energy Regulatory Office, which issues licenses for fuel trading, the National Tax Administration and the Police.
Conclusions from the inspection
"The analysis of the results of liquid fuel quality inspections in 2022 and 2023 indicates an improvement in the quality of gasoline at stations selected for inspection based on information received (from drivers and other authorities). As in previous years, diesel oil dominated among the questioned samples of liquid fuels. In His research noted more samples that did not meet the quality requirements in both parts of the system. – we read in the statement of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection.
The results of liquefied gas (LPG) quality control in 2023 have improved compared to the results in 2022 – all samples taken met the quality requirements.
Important for drivers
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection recommends that drivers independently check the quality of fuel at the stations they use. This information is available on the "fuel map" available on the office's website and in the Yanosik navigation application.
The inspection also reminds that every consumer can file a complaint with the station owner. Suspected irregularities should also be reported to the Trade Inspection. If we suspect that the gas dispenser counter at the station shows the incorrect amount of fuel, we must notify the Central Office of Measures.
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