INSPECTION OBJECTIVE:

To monitor quality of fuels sold on the territory of the Czech Republic, in accordance with inspection directive No. PK 01/2008 (Rule No. 7, Item 2a, Rule No. 311/ 2006 Coll., directive No. 229/2004 Coll.).

INSPECTION FOCUS:

Gas stations selling fuels on the territory of the Czech Republic.

SUBJECT OF THE INSPECTION:

To collect samples of fuels (gasoline, diesel fuels, mixed fuels and LPG fuels) and to inspect the quality and compliance with requirements. Inspection was focused on whether regulations included in Rule No. 3, Item 1 Rule No. 311/2006 Coll., the Fuel regulation law, are followed and observed.

INSPECTION RESULTS

From the total amount of 230 samples, collected during the month of March 2009, thirteen samples did not comply with the applicable quality requirements, which represents 5,7 %.

* available on the market in limited amounts only

All 98 samples of gasoline used in motor vehicles and collected during the month of March, were evaluated as satisfactory and in compliance with the applicable quality standards. Also, 15 LPG samples proved to be in compliance with the applicable quality standards. From 116 collected samples of diesel fuel, 12 samples failed to comply with the applicable standards, which represents (10,3 %). 11 samples showed variations only in one quality parameter and that was the flashpoint value. These variations have been evaluated as insignificant. 1 sample showed unsatisfactory amount of sulphur. Also, 1 sample of mixed fuel was collected during the month of March and failed to comply with the required flashpoint value. The testing results, including unsatisfactory criteria and values, are included in the appendix No. 1.

Obtained data relevant to gas stations, which showed discrepancies in quality requirements during inspections performed in March 2009, are listed in appendix No. 2, which also contains values of unsatisfactory quality parameters.

During the month of March 2009, the upper limit of bio additives in fuels has not been exceeded. The average volume of FAME contents of diesel fuels, inspected during the month of March was 4,5 % volume units and the maximum was 5,1 %.

The average amount of ethanol in motor vehicle gasoline was 3,2 % volume units. The maximum value is 4,9 % volume units.

Sulphur contents

Starting on January 1, 2009 and pursuant to directive No. 229/2004 Coll., only gasoline free of sulphur may be sold. The maximum allowed sulphur contents is 10 mg/kg (including the applicable uncertainty of the measurement, the maximum value is 13 mg/kg for motor vehicle gasoline and 12 mg/kg for diesel fuels).

The average sulphur contents in diesel fuels, revealed by the inspection was 7,4 mg/kg (max. 22,0 mg/kg) and in motor vehicle gasoline it was 3,7 mg/kg (max. 9,2 mg/kg). One tested sample of diesel fuel revealed above the maximum allowed value contents of sulphur. However, we may still say that the transfer over to sulphur free fuels is going well and without problems. The measured values are well below the limits.

During the month of March and in connection with the process of putting additives into bio fuels, the number of inspected and monitored parameters was extended above the limits specified in the directive No. 229/2004 Coll. The oxidation stabilization factor of diesel fuels was added (24 samples), as well as the induction period of motor vehicle gasoline was added (24 samples). No deviations or variations from the applicable standards were discovered.

Conclusion

It has been established that the quality of fuel, inspected during the month of March and sold on the territory of the Czech Republic is acceptable and good. All collected samples of motor vehicle gasoline and LPG fuels, complied with the applicable requirements. However, the inspected samples of diesel fuels showed an increase in unsatisfactory samples, when compared with previous months. The discovered deviations and variations were not significant.

Appendixes

• Fuel quality monitoring activities performed in March 2009 (29.7 Kb)
• Overview of test and quality results obtained during the month of March 2009 – comparison (23 Kb)