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Inspection of Petroleum Products

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Legal Provision

Section 92 of the Petroleum Act, 2019 (as implemented by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, EPRA) requires all petroleum facilities and equipment to conform to relevant Kenya standards.

Standards Act, Cap 496- KEBS function is to provide for co-operation with the Government or the representatives of any industry or with any local authority or other public body or any other person, with a view to securing the adoption and practical application of standards
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Mandate

The petroleum division ensures fuels imported into the country maintains its quality and it is safe throughout the distribution channels through:
Monitoring of petroleum fuel products in retail outlets
Remediation of adulterated (non-compliant) fuels to reinstate their quality
The division also ensures that petroleum installations in the country meet Kenya standards or approved specifications and safeguard health and safety for operators, and the general public through:
Inspection of petroleum installations
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Inspection of Petroleum Installations

The division carries out inspection of petroleum installations and equipment used in transportation, storage and handling of petroleum products. Petroleum installations include Bulk LPG storage and filling plants, petrol-retailing outlets, consumer outlets, petroleum depots etc.

Rationale of carrying out inspection of petroleum installations

Compliance with Kenya Standards or approved specifications
Compliance with Health, Safety and Environment requirements
Compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.
KEBS provides co-operation with the Government or the representatives of any industry or with any local authority or other public body or any other person, with a view to securing the adoption and practical application of standards.
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Monitoring of petroleum fuel products in the retail outlets

This is carried out on a monthly basis by Joint inspection teams involving Kenya Bureau of Standards, EPRA, KRA and a Private accredited Company (contracted), SICPA, with an aim of:
Safeguarding Kenyan consumer from using adulterated (substandard) fuel
Safeguard loss of government revenue from sale of un-customed products (export products)

Products monitored

Motor gasoline (petrol) monitored against the requirements of KS EAS 158
Automotive gas oil (diesel) monitored against the requirements KS EAS 177
Illuminating kerosene monitored against the requirements KS 1289

Remediation of Adulterated Fuel

This is carried out for adulterated (non-compliant) fuels to reinstate their quality. Remediation is done by the retail outlet owner upon payment of applicable remediation supervision fee. The process is supervised by KEBS.
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Petroleum Products

The following petroleum products are subject to mandatory inspection both at Load Port and Disport before shipment by KEBS contracted surveyors:
Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)
Jet fuel (JET- A1)
Fuel Oils
Premium Motor Gasoline/ Spirit (PMS)
Industrial Diesel Oil (IDO)
Illuminating Kerosene (IK)
Aviation FUEL (AVGAS)
The inspections shall be conducted based on the best international practice, while assessment of product compliance shall be based on relevant Kenya Standards or approved specifications.

Note: LPG, Bitumen, Lube oils, Greases and Base oils are fully covered under PVOC Program
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Panel of Surveyors

The following surveyors have been contracted by KEBS to carry out inspection of petroleum products as indicated;

SGS- At Load Port and Disport

Intertek- At Load Port and Disport

Bureau Veritas- At Load Port Only

Responsibilities Under the Petroleum Inspection Program

  • KEBS
  • Surveyors
  • OMC (Oil Marketing Company in Kenya)
  • KRA
  • ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission)
Enlist a panel of contracted surveyors with own testing facilities both at load port and Disport to carry out inspection of petroleum products destined to Kenya.
Develop quality standards for petroleum products to be used in the inspection regime by the contracted Surveyors.
Continuously monitor the performance of the contracted Surveyors through testing of reference samples, audits and feedback from stakeholders.
Ensure that only petroleum products meeting the requirements of relevant Kenya Standards or approved specification are allowed into the country.
Inspect vessel tanks prior to loading to determine if tanks meet the requirements for cargo to be loaded i.e. verify the products loading as per the last voyage.
Sample and analyze products to be loaded or discharged with a view to determining compliance to Kenya Standards or approved specification
Supervise loading and discharge of petroleum products to ensure that all practical steps are taken so as to avoid contamination.
Provide report that details the quality and quantity of each consignment loaded or discharged in the form of COQ, Outturn and Inspection report to both OMC and KEBS.
Report in a timely manner to all concerned parties any matter that may be relevant to the handling of the consignment
Ensure that their import/ export licence with ERC is valid prior to importing petroleum products
Ensure that petroleum products being imported into Kenya meet the requirements of the relevant Kenya Standards or approved specifications.
Nominate load port and discharge port surveyors from a panel of surveyors contracted by KEBS.
Meet the cost of inspection
Notify KEBS of attendance for pre-discharge sampling at disport.
Only allow customs release of petroleum products as advised by KEBS
Use Outturn report issued by the surveyors in determination of duty payable by OMC
Issue import and export licenses to OMC that comply with statutory requirements
Suspend import and export licenses of non-complying companies in line with the provisions of the Energy Act.
KEBS
Enlist a panel of contracted surveyors with own testing facilities both at load port and Disport to carry out inspection of petroleum products destined to Kenya.
Develop quality standards for petroleum products to be used in the inspection regime by the contracted Surveyors.
Continuously monitor the performance of the contracted Surveyors through testing of reference samples, audits and feedback from stakeholders.
Ensure that only petroleum products meeting the requirements of relevant Kenya Standards or approved specification are allowed into the country.
Surveyors
Inspect vessel tanks prior to loading to determine if tanks meet the requirements for cargo to be loaded i.e. verify the products loading as per the last voyage.
Sample and analyze products to be loaded or discharged with a view to determining compliance to Kenya Standards or approved specification
Supervise loading and discharge of petroleum products to ensure that all practical steps are taken so as to avoid contamination.
Provide report that details the quality and quantity of each consignment loaded or discharged in the form of COQ, Outturn and Inspection report to both OMC and KEBS.
Report in a timely manner to all concerned parties any matter that may be relevant to the handling of the consignment
OMC (Oil Marketing Company in Kenya)
Ensure that their import/ export licence with ERC is valid prior to importing petroleum products
Ensure that petroleum products being imported into Kenya meet the requirements of the relevant Kenya Standards or approved specifications.
Nominate load port and discharge port surveyors from a panel of surveyors contracted by KEBS.
Meet the cost of inspection
Notify KEBS of attendance for pre-discharge sampling at disport.
KRA
Only allow customs release of petroleum products as advised by KEBS
Use Outturn report issued by the surveyors in determination of duty payable by OMC
ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission)
Issue import and export licenses to OMC that comply with statutory requirements
Suspend import and export licenses of non-complying companies in line with the provisions of the Energy Act.
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Key/Critical Parameters

  • Fuel Oils
  • Automotive Gas Oil
  • Automotive Gasoline (PMS) and Aviation Gasoline (AVGAS)
  • Jet A-1
Test Units Method
Density @ 20°C Kg/L ASTM D 1298
Water Content % vol ASTM D 95
Flash Point °C ASTM D 93 B
Sulphur Content % m/m ASTM D 4294
Pour Point °C ASTM D 97
Viscosity @ 50°C cSt ASTM D 445
Test Units Method
Appearance - Visual
Density @ 20°C Kg/m³ ASTM D 4052 / ASTM D 1298
Density @ 15°C Kg/m³ ASTM D 4052 / ASTM D 1298
Flash Point °C ASTM D 93 A
Distillation °C ASTM D 86
ASTM Colour - ASTM D 1500
Test Units Method
Appearance - Visual
Density @ 20°C Kg/m³ ASTM D 4052 / 1298
Visual Colour - Visual
Odour - Organoleptic
Distillation - ASTM D 86
Sulphur % m/m ASTM D 4294
Test Units Method
Appearance - ASTM D 4176
Colour Saybolt - ASTM D 156
Odour - Organoleptic
Density @ 20°C Kg/m³ ASTM D 1298 / 4052
Flash Point °C IP 170
Electrical Conductivity pS/m ASTM D 2624
Freezing Point °C ASTM D 2386
Distillation °C ASTM D 86
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Queries about the new inspection requirements should be addressed to KEBS through the following contact details:

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