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Fuel quality

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Fuel quality standards and legislation

Legislation

The Commonwealth Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) and the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001  (the Regulations) provide a legislative framework for setting national fuel quality and fuel quality information standards for Australia. The Act and Regulations place an obligation on the fuel industry, including fuel suppliers, to supply fuel that meets strict environmental requirements.

Fuel quality standards have been set for:

• Petrol
• Ethanol E85
• Diesel
• Biodiesel
• Autogas

Fuel quality information standards have been made for:

• Ethanol E10
• Ethanol E85

Amendments to the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001

The amendments have arisen from recommendations from the first statutory review of the Act and from issues with the practical application of the legislation.

• Amendments to the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001

Fuel Standards Consultative Committee

The Fuel Standards Consultative Committee (the Committee) was established under the Act as a formal consultation mechanism.

The Minister must have regard to the Committee's recommendations about a range of matters. The Minister must consult the Committee before:

• determining a fuel standard or fuel quality information standard;
• granting, varying or revoking an approval to vary a fuel standard for a specified period;
• entering or removing contents from the Register of Prohibited Fuel Additives; and
• preparing guidelines for more stringent fuel standards which may apply in specified areas in Australia.

The Minister must also notify the Committee of an application for an emergency approval and his or her intention to grant an emergency approval.

• About the Committee

Variations to the national fuel standards

The Act enables the Minister to approve variations to the Fuel Standards in response to an application.

• Applications to vary the national fuel standards

Reducing pollution from motor vehicles

National initiatives to reduce the impact of road transport on environment quality, urban amenity and human health

The strategies for the department are:

• monitoring in-service petrol vehicle emissions
• improving the emissions performance of the Australian vehicle fleet, by
  • improving fuel quality; and
  • reducing in-service diesel vehicle emissions through the National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure.

Review of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000

The first review of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 published in April 2005 provided an early opportunity to evaluate the operation of the Act and to propose corrective actions if necessary.

• Independent Statutory Review of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000

Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is of a general nature only and should be read in conjunction with the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001, and the national fuel standards. Fuel suppliers may wish to seek legal advice about their obligations under this legislation.