We answer the most frequently asked questions about fuel marking to help you better comprehend the way it works, the issues it solves, and the benefits it brings.
Fuel marking is a method of authentication used to combat theft, smuggling or adulteration of petroleum products. Customers can ensure that their national fuel supply comes from legal sources and comply with local or international standards through our Fuel Integrity Programmes.
It is today the most advanced way to protect fuel supplies against fraudulent behaviours; for that reason, it’s used by many governments and oil companies around the world.
The first step is to “chemically stamp” the fuel with a unique marker. The fuel can then be transported from the fuel terminal to the retail stations, where it is later verified to ensure that the fuel sold nationwide comes from legal sources or to reveal any sign of dilution.
Our teams are in charge of conducted field inspection throughout the country to confirm the presence of marker. To do so, we first extract two samples from the tank and then test the first one. Thanks to an advanced technology, it only takes a few minutes to obtain the results. If after the test no marker is detected or if the concentration is low (sign of adulteration) then we seal the second sample and send it to a forensic lab for further investigation.
This process helps Government quickly identify illicit supplies of fuel and apply corrective measures.
Every year, it is estimated that R13 billion of fuels are illegally stolen, adulterated, or defrauded from legitimate petroleum companies.
Fuel marking has been proven to be the safest and fastest way to combat fraud with no impact on the fuel quality and a considerable positive impact on revenue collection. By using fuel marking, many countries have put a curb on illegal smuggling of petroleum products.
To better understand the impact of fuel fraud, read our article on the top 3 consequences of fuel fraud explained.
Fuel marking is completely safe, markers used by Fast Fuels through its Fuel Integrity Programmes are undetectable and have no abrasive effect on the fuel.
Our markers are also environmentally friendly in respect with the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants and the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer it also offers a complete tracing of quantities distributed throughout the supply and distribution chain, resulting in a considerable improvement of the quality of petroleum products over time.
Fraud can be classified into 3 main categories:
In both cases for traffickers, the goal is to maximize profit margins regardless of the consequences.
Read our article on fuel theft explained: Four ways fuel is illicitly traded to have an in-depth understanding of fuel fraud.
There are many benefits associated with the use of fuel marking for the government, oil companies, the environment, and consumers. Setting up a Fuel Integrity Programme enables to:
We work closely with our clients to ensure the highest quality of service. To do so, we rely on our 4-pillar value proposition:
For more insights about fuel marking check our infographic or contact us at info@fastracingfuels.co.za.
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