Vietnam Enhances E10 Gasoline Quality Control, Enabling Traceability in Case of Incidents

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced that in response to public complaints about irregularities with E10 gasoline, a system has been established to trace the fuel back from retail outlets to the central warehouse, blending stage, and even the import stage. This measure aims to strengthen fuel quality control and ensure consumer confidence. According to Mr. Đặng Tất Thành from the ministry's Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion, fuel samples are stored at all stages, from central warehouses to retail outlets, in parallel with business operations. If an anomaly occurs after using E10 gasoline, authorities can inspect these samples and compare them with current standards to assess the quality of gasoline at each supply stage. This sample preservation mechanism allows for tracing the entire process of fuel import, blending, mixing, and distribution throughout the system, playing a crucial role in guaranteeing the quality of petroleum products in the market. However, Mr. Thành cautioned that identifying the cause will require more evaluation steps in cases where gasoline of unknown origin is used. Mr. Nguyễn Văn Khôi, Head of the Standards Department at the National Bureau of Metrology and Quality (under the Ministry of Science and Technology), stated that the current quality control process for gasoline and diesel is very strict. The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for standards, metrology, and the quality of products and blended finished goods, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade manages production, business, and distribution activities. Accordingly, large-scale imported gasoline, or gasoline intended for blending and business, must be sampled, stored, and tested before circulation. For domestically produced gasoline, quality assessments are conducted both at the factory and in the market according to prescribed monitoring frequencies. Furthermore, production and blending enterprises are also obligated to self-control quality and store samples during the handover and receipt process. Sealing and preserving samples facilitate traceability in cases of disputes or doubts about fuel quality. In Vietnam, since June 1, RON 95-III gasoline has been blended with 10% ethanol to become E10 gasoline before being sold to the market. Meanwhile, E5 RON 92 gasoline will continue to be maintained until the end of 2030. According to a representative from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, after more than a month of implementation, the number of complaints from consumers regarding E10 gasoline is gradually decreasing. Complaints received through official channels are processed, and authorities coordinate with relevant units to inspect fuel quality and vehicle technical conditions before reaching conclusions. "Recommendations from users and businesses are not overlooked, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade's transparent disclosure of results helps users feel more secure when using E10 gasoline," said Mr. Đặng Tất Thắng. In addition to quality control by the authorities, Mr. Đào Công Quyết, representing the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA), suggested that consumers should also choose reputable gasoline stations to ensure they receive standard-compliant fuel. For older vehicle models, owners should take their vehicles to maintenance facilities for inspection and technical advice before switching to bio-fuel. According to Mr. Quyết, ethanol has hygroscopic properties, so vehicles not used for extended periods (over a month) should have their fuel systems checked before restarting. He also recommended periodic fuel filter replacement and adherence to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for stable vehicle operation when using E10 gasoline. Information source: VnExpress