Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations apply in England, Wales, Scotlandand Northern Ireland.
They amendthe Motor Fuel (Sulphur Content of Gas Oil) Regulations 1976 in the following respects.
The prescribed maximum amount of 03 grammes of sulphur in 100 grammes of “gas oil” now applies to fuel for all diesel engines used to propel any mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads. Accordingly it applies to fuel for diesel engines used to propel “agricultural vehicles”, “engineering plant”and “works vehicles”, which were previously subject to the Oil Fuel (Sulphur Content of Gas Oil) Regulations 1976 (S.I. 1976/1988) (which prescribed a maximum amount of 05 grammes).
The prescribed maximum amount of 03 grammes now applies to the production etc or use of gas oil for or in diesel engines which propel motor vehicles in the islandareas of Orkneyand Shetland. The previous maximum amount in those areas was 05 grammes.
The exemption for the importationand use of gas oil in the tank of a motor vehicle entering the United Kingdom is restricted to vehicles entering from States which are not Member States of the European Community.
The use of gas oil witha sulphur content not exceeding 05% in the user’s possession on 31st December 1988 is exempted from the Regulations in specified cases.
The definitions of “gas oil” and the “appropriate method for testing gas oil” are brought up to date.
The penalty for a contravention of regulation 5(b) (use etc of any gas oil the sulphur content of which exceeds the maximum permitted amount) is increased from a maximum fine of £50 to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale (which is currently £100).
Other minor amendments are made.
The first two amendments mentioned above are made in consequence of Council Directive 87/219/EEC of 30th March 1987 (O.J. No. L91, 3.4.1987, p. 19) which amendedCouncil Directive 75/716/EEC of 24th November 1975 (O.J. No. L307, 27.11.1975, p. 22) on the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels. Copies of these Directives can be obtained from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
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