The Department of Energy (DoE) has crafted a new circular setting revised Philippine National Standards (PNS) for unleaded gasoline being sold to motorists.

Under the proposed guidelines for PNS/DoE QS 001:2009, the energy department noted that such will “address the concern on the compatibility of E-10 gasoline on in-use vehicles, particularly on the engine and fuel system.”

This will also primarily “establish a distinction between conventional gasoline (without ethanol) and ethanol-blended gasoline (E-gasoline).”

The oil industry stakeholders were given a chance to submit their comments on the proposed Circular prior to its promulgation by the Bureau of Product Standards.

When the new Circular is finally in effect, it was prescribed that “only gasoline complying with PNS/DoE QS 001:2009” shall be sold or offered for sale to motorists in the market.

The policy also enjoins any person engaged in the importation of unleaded motor gasoline and or blending components to submit to the DoE a certificate of quality (COQ) showing all the properties listed as prescribed under the PNS. This shall be accomplished within 20 days after the unloading of the import shipment.

The DoE Circular similarly requires all oil company-dealers and operators of gasoline stations to comply with the prescribed labeling requirements.

Firstly, the department requires all pumps dispensing regular gasoline to indicate an advisory that the fuel is “not recommended for vehicles with four or more wheels.”

Secondly, “all gasoline dispensing pumps with the prescribed octane sticker as provided under Department Circular No. 2001-09-003 shall indicate in the sticker the word ‘minimum’ below the octane number.”

The DoE also requires oil companies to register with the department any new fuel additive that they tend to introduce in their fuel products, as well as any organo-metallic compound used or added in their gasoline.

In the same vein, the industry players are required to “conduct regular monitoring of all activities being undertaken at their refineries, bulk plants, terminals, depots, tank trucks and gasoline stations/retail outlets to ensure that the quality of all gasoline being sold meets the requisite gasoline specifications.”