In protecting the environment and human health, fuels intended for export must meet minimum quality standards. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) monitors whether petrol and diesel producers comply with these standards.
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Harmful substances in fuels intended for export
Fuels intended for export to countries outside the European Union (EU) used to contain high levels of harmful substances such as sulphur, benzene and manganese. In particular, fuels exported to developing countries in West Africa contained high levels of such substances, as the fuel requirements in these countries are less strict.
Exposure to or inhalation of benzene is harmful to humans. Sulphur leads to the emission of fine particulate matter, resulting in poor air quality. Manganese and sulphur damage the catalytic converters and particulate filters of modern cars, increasing emissions of nitrogen (NOx) and fine particulate matter, which is also harmful to humans and the environment.
Policy rule for cleaner fuel
To limit the negative consequences for humans and the environment, the ILT drew up the beleidsregel brandstoffen (On-Road Fuels Policy Rule, in Dutch). This policy rule imposes stricter requirements on the amount of harmful substances in fuel for low- and middle-income countries. This ensures that fuel intended for export is of a better quality.
Requirements for petrol and diesel fuels intended for export
Petrol from the Netherlands intended for export to countries outside the EU may:
- Contain a maximum of 50 mg/kg sulphur.
- Contain a maximum of 1% volume of benzene.
- Contain a maximum of 2 mg/l manganese.
Diesel from the Netherlands intended for export to countries outside the EU may contain a maximum of 50 g/kg sulphur.
Duty of care for fuel producers
The improved quality of fuel intended for export reduces air pollution in countries where the fuels are used. This is in line with the zorgplicht (duty of care) for producers as set out in Article 9.2.1.2. of the Wet Milieubeheer (Environmental Management Act, in Dutch).
The duty of care means that:
- Producers are legally obliged to prevent or limit the negative consequences for humans and the environment as much as possible.
- It does not matter that countries purchasing the fuel impose different quality requirements.
Subtitles in English
This video from the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) is about improving fuel quality for low and middle-income countries outside the European Union.
(SILENCE)
On screen: Logo Dutch government.
VOICE-OVER: 'These are the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp: the ARA region. Ships carrying fuel leave here every day. More than half of the imported petrolin West Africa comes from the ARA region. At the terminals, oil traders blend fuel streams and residues from oil refineries and chemical companies into a low-quality blend. They deliberately produce these fuels for West Africa as the standards there are not as strict. This is an easy and cheap way to get rid of residues from oil refining and chemical production.'
'The use of low-quality fuels in road transport leads to poor air quality, health problems, premature deaths, climate emissions and increased costs for vehicle owners. The costs of health problems are much higher than the costs of cleaner fuels. The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles of the UN Environment Programme has therefore been working towards cleaner fuels worldwide since 2002. In 2018, the ILT noticed fuel with high levels of harmful substances being exported from the Netherlands to countries outside Europe, especially West Africa. But these toxic substances destroy emission control devices and are harmful to human health and the environment.'
'As the Netherlands wanted to change this, the ILT entered into dialogue with the industry about its duty of care under the Dutch Environmental Management Act. The duty of care article on substances and mixtures states that: if you know or could reasonably have known that something is harmful to humans and the environment, you must take measures that can be reasonably expected from you to limit that damage.With the policy rule, the ILT has ensured a level playing field, so that all fuel traders operating in the Netherlands comply with the same rules. These rules set requirements for the quality of fuels produced for low- and middle-income countries outside Europe to prevent excessive air pollution.'
'The ILT now observes improved quality of export fuel with the policy rule. There has been better compliance. However, compliance is not a given and enforcement still needs attention. And there is always risk that blending of poor-quality fuels is shifted to other regions.An international level playing field is important. Therefore, the Netherlands and the UN Environment Programme organised a meeting in Nairobi in 2022. Participating African countries called for stricter and harmonised rules by both importing and exporting countries.'
'Belgium has announced similar measures as the Netherlands has put in place. By joining forces with Belgium, the improved fuel quality will lead to less air pollution in West Africa as well as in other regions of the world. We hope other countries will also follow this approach. Several internationally operating banks already ensure that companies follow the policy rule.'
'This is a story of change. It shows that systems can improve and where governments and global companies are taking social responsibility.'
(SILENCE)
On-screen: Logo Dutch government, Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Want to know more about what the ILT does to improve fuel quality? Then visit english.ilent.nl/fuel-quality.
Subtitles in French
This video from the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) is about improving fuel quality for low and middle-income countries outside the European Union.
(SILENCE)
On screen: Logo Dutch government.
VOICE-OVER: 'These are the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp: the ARA region. Ships carrying fuel leave here every day. More than half of the imported petrolin West Africa comes from the ARA region. At the terminals, oil traders blend fuel streams and residues from oil refineries and chemical companies into a low-quality blend. They deliberately produce these fuels for West Africa as the standards there are not as strict. This is an easy and cheap way to get rid of residues from oil refining and chemical production.'
'The use of low-quality fuels in road transport leads to poor air quality, health problems, premature deaths, climate emissions and increased costs for vehicle owners. The costs of health problems are much higher than the costs of cleaner fuels. The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles of the UN Environment Programme has therefore been working towards cleaner fuels worldwide since 2002. In 2018, the ILT noticed fuel with high levels of harmful substances being exported from the Netherlands to countries outside Europe, especially West Africa. But these toxic substances destroy emission control devices and are harmful to human health and the environment.'
'As the Netherlands wanted to change this, the ILT entered into dialogue with the industry about its duty of care under the Dutch Environmental Management Act. The duty of care article on substances and mixtures states that: if you know or could reasonably have known that something is harmful to humans and the environment, you must take measures that can be reasonably expected from you to limit that damage.With the policy rule, the ILT has ensured a level playing field, so that all fuel traders operating in the Netherlands comply with the same rules. These rules set requirements for the quality of fuels produced for low- and middle-income countries outside Europe to prevent excessive air pollution.'
'The ILT now observes improved quality of export fuel with the policy rule. There has been better compliance. However, compliance is not a given and enforcement still needs attention. And there is always risk that blending of poor-quality fuels is shifted to other regions.An international level playing field is important. Therefore, the Netherlands and the UN Environment Programme organised a meeting in Nairobi in 2022. Participating African countries called for stricter and harmonised rules by both importing and exporting countries.'
'Belgium has announced similar measures as the Netherlands has put in place. By joining forces with Belgium, the improved fuel quality will lead to less air pollution in West Africa as well as in other regions of the world. We hope other countries will also follow this approach. Several internationally operating banks already ensure that companies follow the policy rule.'
'This is a story of change. It shows that systems can improve and where governments and global companies are taking social responsibility.'
(SILENCE)
On-screen: Logo Dutch government, Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Want to know more about what the ILT does to improve fuel quality? Then visit english.ilent.nl/fuel-quality.
The ILT’s role
The ILT monitors the quality of exported fuels. It also investigates reports of companies producing and exporting low-quality fuels or mixing fuels at sea. If analysis shows that the fuel does not comply with the rules, the ILT can take measures and impose a penalty.
In addition, the ILT works to ensure a level international playing field. This means that the ILT maintains contact with supervisory bodies and parties in other countries. The aim is to prevent activities that do not comply with the policy rule from being moved from the Netherlands to other countries.