At a biofuel seminar on 13/7, Dang Tat Thanh, from the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), confirmed that regulatory bodies employ various testing methods to assess fuel quality.

According to Thanh, fuel samples are retained at every stage, from main depots to retail stores, parallel to business operations. If abnormalities occur after using E10 gasoline, authorities can examine these samples and compare them with current standards to evaluate the gasoline's quality at each supply stage.

"Sample retention also allows for tracing back the entire process of import, blending, and distribution of fuel throughout the system," he stated.

A MoIT representative noted that this rigorously managed traceability process ensures the quality of petroleum products in the market. However, he cautioned that for gasoline of unidentified origin, determining the cause of issues would require more extensive evaluation steps.

Dang Tat Thanh, from the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, speaking at the seminar. Photo: Bao Xay dung

Sharing this perspective, Nguyen Van Khoi, Head of the Standards Department at the National Standards and Metrology Committee under the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasized the current stringent quality control process for petroleum. The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for standards, regulations, and quality of products and blended finished products, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade manages production, business, and distribution activities.

Accordingly, all large-scale imported gasoline batches, whether for blending or commercial use, must undergo sampling, sample retention, and testing before circulation. For domestically produced gasoline, quality assessments are conducted both at the factory and in the market, following prescribed monitoring frequency.

Additionally, manufacturing and blending enterprises must conduct their own quality control and retain samples during delivery and receipt. Sealing and preserving samples aid in tracing the product if disputes arise or quality concerns emerge.

Since 1/6, all RON 95-III mineral gasoline has been blended with 10% ethanol to become E10 gasoline before being sold to the market. Meanwhile, E5 RON 92 gasoline will continue to be available until the end of 2030.

According to the MoIT representative, over one month after implementation, the number of consumer complaints regarding E10 gasoline has gradually decreased. Feedback received through official channels is investigated by regulatory agencies in coordination with relevant units to check fuel quality and vehicle technical condition before conclusions are drawn.

"All feedback from users and businesses is addressed, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade transparently announces the results, helping users feel more secure when using E10 gasoline," Dang Tat Thanh affirmed.

Beyond quality control by authorities, Dao Cong Quyet, a representative of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA), advised consumers to purchase gasoline from reputable stations to ensure fuel meets standards.

For older vehicle models, owners should take their vehicles to a maintenance facility for inspection and technical advice before switching to biofuel. Quyet noted that ethanol is hydroscopic; therefore, if a vehicle is not used for an extended period, over one month, owners should inspect the fuel system before restarting operation. He also recommended regular fuel filter replacement and adherence to manufacturer maintenance schedules to ensure stable vehicle performance when using E10 gasoline.

Phuong Dung