Source: O Dia - RJ - Rio de Janeiro / RJ - ECONOMY - 28/05/2010

Rio - National Petroleum Agency (ANP) tightens its grip on adulterated fuels. A resolution published in the Official Gazette of the Union determined that all stations should post on the pumps a warning that ethanol can only be sold clear and colorless. The agency also fixed the phone with free calls to report complaints about the adulterated product. The new number is 0800- 970 0267.

In the fight against problem fuels, the ANP carried out 4.025 inspection actions in the State of Rio de Janeiro last year, issuing 944 infraction notices and 222 establishments interdictions. In the first months of this year, there were 1.062 lawsuits, 214 notices of infraction and 49 interdictions of posts. In the city of Rio alone, 25 posts have already been banned this year.

Manuel Fonseca da Costa, president of Sindcomb (Union of Retail Trade in Fuels, Lubricants and Convenience Stores in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro) says that the number of adulterations is small. According to him, today the driver can refuel without major concerns at the gas stations in Rio. “It was much worse, but with the inspection work that has been done, the number has reduced a lot”, says the union president.

The tip to avoid being a victim of adulteration, according to Costa, is to escape the very attractive prices. “The driver must be suspicious of very low prices. When it is too low, it can be evasion or tampering. Both for gasoline and for alcohol ”, he explains. The Public Ministry, the state government and the ANP promise to continue the inspection.