The Ministry of Industry and Trade strengthens control of E10 gasoline, protecting consumer rights

On June 3, at the regular Government press conference in May, answering reporters’ questions about E10 gasoline quality control from mixing to retail as well as consumer protection solutions, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said that the Ministry is synchronously implementing many solutions to ensure product quality and people’s rights during the transition to using biofuels.According to the Deputy Minister, implementing Decision No. 53 dated November 22, 2012 of the Prime Minister on the roadmap for using biofuels, Vietnam is continuing to promote the use of biofuels such as E5 and E10.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is currently coordinating with ministries, branches, localities, businesses and related organizations to prepare the necessary conditions, ensuring effective implementation of the program, in accordance with the Party and Government’s policies.

Regarding quality control, the Deputy Minister emphasized two key contents. First of all, biofuels must fully comply with the standards and technical regulations issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology. At the same time, it is necessary to prevent mixing actions that do not comply with technical regulations and procedures.

Inspection and supervision are carried out throughout the entire supply chain, from production, mixing, transportation, distribution, circulation to retail. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, all stages before the product reaches consumers must be closely inspected and monitored.

For businesses involved in producing, mixing, transporting and trading biofuel, quality control responsibilities have been clearly defined in the law on petroleum business as well as regulations related to standards, measurement and product quality.

As for the State management agency, the market management force plays a core role in inspection and supervision activities. Locally, this work is implemented in coordination with the police, the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Science and Technology and relevant functional forces. Inspection activities are carried out in many forms, including scheduled periodic inspections and unexpected inspections.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said that checking the quality of biofuel is not a new activity. Since 2018, when E5 gasoline was introduced to the market, inspection work has been carried out regularly and continuously and will continue to ensure product quality meets standards.

For violations, current law clearly stipulates the authority, scope and form of handling, from administrative sanctions, suspension of operations to other handling measures depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Regarding protecting consumer rights, the Deputy Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade thoroughly grasps the view of placing consumers at the center of the policy development and implementation process. The transition to using biofuels must aim for the highest benefits for people.

To ensure consumer rights, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is perfecting mechanisms for receiving feedback and complaints related to biofuel production and trading activities.

Ministries, branches, petroleum businesses, and businesses manufacturing vehicles, engines, and equipment using biofuel are required to increase the provision of information, technical advice, and answer questions to people.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is also developing handbooks and question and answer sets to guide, explain and provide complete information about E5 and E10 biofuels. At the same time, information receiving channels will be diversified, including the establishment of an automatic switchboard to receive feedback and answer people’s questions.