Fuel Quality

These fuels are intended for use in countries outside the EU. They contain high levels of harmful substances, such as benzene, sulphur and manganese. The exhaust gases produced when these fuels are used contribute to air pollution and are therefore particularly harmful to our health and pollute the environment.

In 2018, the ILT published a study into the quality of fuels produced in the Netherlands and exported to (West) African countries.

In 2020, the ILT published a study into the quality of used vehicles that are transported from the Netherlands to African countries (among other places). This shows that there are often problems with the emission systems (converters) of these vehicles.

In June 2021, TNO investigated for the ILT how the use of high-sulphur, high-benzene and manganese-containing petrol affects people and the environment. In response to this, the ILT published the report ‘Petrol fuel quality and its effects on the vehicle technology and the environment’. This study shows, among other things, that working converters break down as a result of the low-quality fuels. This may result in unfiltered emissions.  Countries that try to tackle air pollution and smog and, above all, allow relatively young and ‘clean’ vehicles, are not achieving their goal by using these fuels.

After the report was published, the ILT re-examined whether the fuel quality produced and exported in the Netherlands has improved since 2018. This did not always appear to be the case. That is why in 2021, the ILT informed the oil companies, refineries and traders operating from the Netherlands that the export of this type of car fuel is in violation of the duty of care of the Environmental Management Act. The ILT has called on companies to take their social responsibility and to fulfil their duty of care.

Fit for purpose indicates that the product just meets the minimum requirements set by the recipient country. . Fit-for-purpose fuels are the type we want to get rid of. The ILT believes that producers and exporting traders in the Netherlands have a responsibility to improve the quality of fuels, regardless of the standards of the recipient countries.

That has to do with supply and demand. Regulations in many countries still allow it. Many countries are in the process of adjusting this, because they also want better air quality. There is – also from an international perspective – a lot of attention for the subject.

The ILT is a Dutch regulator. It can only check companies that produce fuels in the Netherlands or export them from the Netherlands. The ILT therefore maintains contact with regulators and other parties in other countries, with the aim of combating the relocation of activities from the Netherlands to other countries and creating a level playing field for companies.

Companies have a statutory duty to make every reasonable effort to prevent or limit negative consequences for human health and the environment to the greatest possible extent. This duty applies if companies know (or could reasonably have suspected) that their handling of substances and mixtures leads to risks for people and the environment. The duty of care follows from the Environmental Management Act.