Quality control of E10 gasoline from production to retail distribution

Speaking at the Government’s regular press conference for May, organized by the Government Office on June 3, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan responded to questions from journalists regarding the quality control of E10 gasoline, mechanisms for receiving consumer feedback, and measures to safeguard consumer interests.

According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam has been transitioning to biofuel gasoline since late 2017.

At present, the two most widely available biofuel gasoline products on the market are E5 and E10. To implement the roadmap for introducing biofuel gasoline to the market under Circular No. 50, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has worked closely with ministries, agencies, local authorities, businesses and various stakeholders to ensure the transition is carried out effectively in line with the Party’s and State’s policies and orientations.

Regarding quality control, the Deputy Minister emphasized that all biofuel gasoline products circulated on the market must comply with established standards and technical regulations. The Ministry of Science and Technology has developed a comprehensive and clearly defined system of standards and technical regulations for biofuel gasoline. Consequently, the primary requirement is that products fully satisfy these standards while preventing any blending activities that fail to meet prescribed specifications.

Inspection and supervision are conducted comprehensively across the entire supply chain, covering production, blending, distribution, circulation and retail sales. According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, every stage before products reach consumers must be subject to inspection and control. In addition, consumers are encouraged to participate in monitoring efforts by assessing product quality and reporting any issues that arise, thereby supporting regulatory authorities in their oversight activities.

The Deputy Minister noted that businesses directly involved in producing, blending, transporting and retailing petroleum products are responsible for controlling product quality in accordance with regulations governing petroleum trading, as well as provisions related to standards and product quality. These regulations clearly define the responsibilities of all parties involved throughout the production, distribution, circulation and consumption process, including biofuel gasoline.

For state management agencies, inspection and supervisory duties are carried out on a regular basis through enforcement bodies such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Market Surveillance Agency, local market surveillance forces, and in coordination with relevant departments and agencies, including Departments of Science and Technology, Departments of Construction and other competent authorities.

“Inspections are conducted through both periodic and planned reviews, as well as unannounced inspections. Following the Government’s latest directives, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is developing plans to continue carrying out surprise inspections in this sector,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said.

He stressed that inspection and supervisory activities are not new. Since E5 gasoline was introduced to the market in 2018, quality inspections have been conducted on a regular basis and have helped ensure the quality of petroleum products supplied to the market. These efforts will continue in the coming period.

Regarding violations, the Deputy Minister said that the current legal framework contains comprehensive provisions for handling administrative violations and, where warranted, criminal offenses. Depending on the nature, severity and specific circumstances of each violation, competent authorities will apply appropriate enforcement measures.

Strengthening consumer protection and receiving feedback on biofuel gasoline

Regarding consumer protection, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan stated that the Ministry of Industry and Trade drafted the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights, which was adopted by the National Assembly in 2023. The law clearly stipulates the rights, responsibilities and obligations of relevant parties to ensure the best possible protection for consumers.

Following the direction of the Deputy Prime Minister, the most important objective of the transition to biofuel gasoline is to create favorable conditions for citizens, with consumer interests placed at the center of all policies. Every measure implemented must serve the goal of protecting those interests.

One of the measures introduced by the Ministry is the establishment of channels for receiving consumer feedback to support unannounced inspections of biofuel gasoline. However, according to the Deputy Minister, this is only one component of a broader package of coordinated solutions currently being implemented.

First, ministries, agencies, petroleum businesses, and manufacturers of engines and equipment using biofuel gasoline are required to strengthen communications, respond to feedback and recommendations, and provide technical guidance to consumers. The Deputy Minister noted that not all consumers are technical experts or know which authority to contact when problems occur. Therefore, raising public awareness and ensuring adequate information dissemination are essential.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has also developed guidance handbooks and coordinated with media organizations to disseminate information widely to the public. In addition, the Ministry has compiled a set of frequently asked questions and answers addressing common issues related to biofuel gasoline. The FAQ currently contains 85 topics and continues to be updated based on public feedback, inquiries and practical issues arising during implementation.

Furthermore, the Ministry has established an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot system to support the receipt and processing of inquiries while continuously enriching the knowledge base used for responses. According to the Deputy Minister, the application of technology helps enhance objectivity and improve the accuracy and timeliness of responses to consumer requests.

For manufacturers of engines and vehicles, the Ministry requires continued reviews, assessments and public disclosure of product compatibility with biofuel gasoline. Beyond merely publishing such information, businesses are also expected to strengthen user guidance and ensure adequate warranty and maintenance services are available to address any issues that may arise.

“To date, the use of biofuel gasoline has progressed positively and delivered encouraging results. At the same time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is working with technical experts to develop troubleshooting guidelines and continues to prepare specialized publications for consumers,” the Deputy Minister said.

Regarding feedback mechanisms, the Ministry already operates consumer feedback channels and is developing a dedicated process specifically for complaints and inquiries related to E5 and E10 gasoline. This process will include procedures for receiving, handling and resolving consumer concerns in accordance with legal provisions on consumer protection.

In addition, the Ministry has called on local authorities, consumer protection associations and technical associations to participate in receiving feedback, answering questions and providing guidance to consumers, thereby helping them protect their legitimate rights and interests more effectively.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan also highlighted another key task: ensuring a stable supply of biofuel gasoline to the market. The Ministry of Industry and Trade, together with other ministries, agencies and local authorities, will coordinate efforts to ensure sufficient supplies of both E5 and E10 gasoline and prevent any disruptions in distribution.

According to the Deputy Minister, through the synchronized implementation of measures ranging from quality control, enhanced inspections, consumer feedback mechanisms, public communications and technical support to supply assurance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies will continue working to effectively protect consumer interests throughout the production, blending, distribution and marketing of biofuel gasoline in Vietnam.