Source: Bahia Já - BA - 11/09/2009

This week, the Salvador City Council approved Bill No. 127/2005, drafted by city councilor Alfredo Mangueira (PMDB), which more severely punishes companies and gas station owners who stock or resell oil products, alcohol and other liquid fuels that are not within the standards established by the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP).

After the project is sanctioned by the mayor, gas stations that inflict ANP rules will have their operating licenses revoked for ten years, in addition to being obliged to pay the losses suffered by consumers with adulteration of fuels.

“For the first time, Salvador will have a Municipal Law that will more rigorously punish the infractions committed. From an environmental point of view, it will also be very positive because it will pollute the environment less. The population can only gain from the approval of this project ”, said Mangueira.

According to the peedebista, adulteration of fuels with the addition of solvents, whose sales have tripled in recent years, only benefits gas station owners, who have double their profit margin. The penalty for those responsible for the quality of fuels is justified, in the opinion of the councilman, because they are service providers and, in some way, allowed the low quality product to enter your establishment or even be tampered with there.

SUPERVISION

During an inspection action, the inspectors check at the station a series of items regarding safety and environmental protection requirements. In the specific fuel inspection activity, ANP is authorized by Law No. 9.847 / 1999 to issue infraction notices, to prohibit supply pumps at dealer stations where irregularities are found as well as to cancel product registrations.

Thus, the inspectors of the ANP and of the associated agencies, in case they detect any non-conformity in the transport, storage, facilities of the dealer station or in the fuels marketed in the establishment, can issue an infraction notice and open an administrative process, with the right to defense to the assessed post. At the end of the process, the post can be fined and / or banned.

During an inspection action, the inspectors check at the station a series of items regarding safety and environmental protection requirements.

PREVENTION

The quality of the fuels is verified by means of specific tests that reveal whether the products are in accordance with the established specifications and also if there was an illegal addition of solvents.

When filling with gasoline, the consumer can check if the alcohol content of this fuel is correct, by performing the test tube, which the dealer is obliged to perform when requested.

The consumer can also request the invoice of the retailer post, which contains all the data of the establishment, including the CNPJ, and check other obligations of the establishment, such as the display, in a prominent and easily visible place, of the ANP notice board.