Testing & certification

Fuel quality monitoring

The quality of fuels sold in New Zealand is regulated by the Government for environmental, health and fitness-for-purpose outcomes.  The New Zealand Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011 provides mechanisms for the enforcement of fuel quality in New Zealand by Trading Standards.  Under this authority, Trading Standards monitors fuel quality and responds to complaints from consumers and rival oil companies.  Further details are available from the Consumer Protection and Standards branch within MBIE  - Fuel Quality Monitoring. 

In New Zealand, IPL has developed the full suite as per the New Zealand Specification Regulations 2011.  They perform fuel quality assurance and product release testing.  If you carry out biofuel quality testing and would like to have your details listed here please brian.cox [at] bioenergy.org.nz (contact us).

Specific fuel quality acts and regulations

Acts

The key Act of Parliament pertaining to the petroleum and fuel industry in New Zealand is the Energy (Fuels, Levies and References) Act 1989.  The distribution and sale of petrol and diesel in New Zealand has been deregulated since 1988. Prior to that, retail prices and margins had been regulated and fuel quality specifications were set by agreement between government, the oil industry and motor vehicle manufacturers.

Energy (Fuels, Levies and References) Act makes provision for regulations in relation to fuel quality and related matters such as specifications for refueling equipment and vehicle refueling inlets, and provision of information for consumers.

Regulations

Regulations pertaining to the quality of petrol and diesel are made pursuant to the Ministry of Energy Act 1989.  The current regulations defining fuel parameters are the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations.

Fuel quality monitoring testing

Members who can provide fuel quality monitoring testing are: