The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) is introducing a new Fuel Certification scheme to improve the quality of fuel oil and raise standards in the industry.

The new Fuel Certification initiative will be responsible for testing kerosene, gas oil and diesel storage tanks quarterly for particulate, water content and biological contaminants. As a result of the tests, the organisation will be able to accurately predict trends in fuel quality and help its members improve quality standards across the board.

FPS chief executive Mark Askew said: “The Fuel Certification scheme has advantages for FPS members and their customers. Those accredited under the scheme will be able to rectify potential fuel problems early, allowing for quick and inexpensive remediation to take place for any issues found during testing, and also plan maintenance programmes with greater efficiency. Moreover, the new scheme will provide mitigation against claims from customers for ‘faulty fuel’ which may be caused by the customer's storage or buying patterns.”

The FPS is running the scheme in association with OTS TankCare and Scarlett’s Fuel System, based on their collective experience and proven technology.

Those that sign up for the service will receive accreditation in the form of a FPS Fuel Certification quality logo, making it easier for customers to see whether or not a distributor is being tested under the terms of the initiative.

The first 30 member depots to sign up will receive a discount of £200 per tank for the first year, bringing the cost of joining the scheme to just £800 per tank. From the following year, the member price will be £1,000 per tank. Non-members wishing to join the scheme will be charged £1,500 per tank per year.

As a trade association, the organisation’s membership base delivers heating oil to residential homes, as well as marine, agricultural, commercial and industrial businesses. With over 200 members owning some 2,500 tankers, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers represents 80% of all oil distribution companies in Great Britain.