The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) says it has granted a temporary waiver to local refineries it has licensed to produce and supply Diesel and Petrol containing Sulphur levels.

The policy is expected to take effect from January 20, 2021.

According to a statement issued by the Corporate Affairs of the NPA, the waiver will apply to clients who sell Sulphur levels not exceeding 1,500 mg/kg (ppm) to the general public.

Explaining the basis of the policy, the NPA said ECOWAS' directive has influenced the waiver on the Harmonized Specification for Automotive Fuels.

"The permissible Sulphur levels of Diesel and Petrol to be sold to the general public whether comingled or not shall at all times not exceed 1,500 mg/kg (ppm) within the interim waiver period", the statement further stated.

The NPA also added that "the implementation of the interim wavier is to ensure that local refineries remain operational, whilst they introduce measures to meet the Sulphur requirements stipulated in the ECOWAS Harmonized Specifications for Automotive Fuels.

The implementation of the interim wavier is to ensure that local refineries remain operational, whilst they introduce measures to meet the Sulphur requirements stipulated in the ECOWAS Harmonized Specifications for Automotive Fuels".

Despite the policy, the NPA said imported Diesel and Petrol will be regulated by the Sulphur requirements stipulated at a maximum 50 mg/kg (ppm) as contained in the ECOWAS Harmonized Specifications for Automotive Fuels.

They also stressed that "the introduction of this interim waiver, Diesel and Petrol produced by local refineries shall be allowed for sale and purchase at retail outlets and maybe comingled with imported products for sale to the general public.

The closing portions of the statement also indicated that "The application of this interim waiver to local refineries shall not result in any price differentials in the sale and purchase of Diesel and regular Petrol at the retail outlets with respect to their permissible Sulphur content.

The NPA assured the general public that the Authority will continue to ensure strict compliance with approved sulphur levels in the Petroleum downstream industry based on the latest directive.

"Where fuel from a retail outlet exceeds the sulphur content of 50 mg/kg (ppm), the Dealer and Oil Marketing Company (OMC) shall produce documentation evidencing that the consignment was procured from a local refinery. Failure to produce the required documentation may result in the application of pecuniary penalties in an amount of
GH₵30,000 on the OMC and/or Dealer", the statement said.