Petroleum codes a step in right direction

Last Thursday's official launch of the national petroleum codes is being touted as a major step in the drive to bring stability, uniformity, and accountability to the local petroleum industry, although there are still some unresolved issues.

Concerns about gum content and licensing periods are among the matters still not fully settled, but the regulations are expected to provide a much-needed level of traceability in the event there is a recurrence of the bad gas saga, wherein gasolene of questionable quality was blamed for damage to a number of motor vehicle engines across Jamaica.

"The Bureau of Standards stands ready to offer any further assistance that is necessary to refine these, to facilitate, and to have them implemented. We will continue our standards-development processes, with collaboration, with the ultimate aim of introducing a culture of standards and quality to all aspects of Jamaican life," James Rawle, chairman of the standards council at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica told participants at the launch.

"We are happy to partner with the ministries and other agencies and industry stakeholder groups in this effort. It is important that we have a collaborative approach. We don't want to be dictating to people. We want to pick the best minds, unweave all the complexities, and come up with workable solutions as happens in more developed societies," he declared.

Castor Campbell of IGL Limited spoke to the overarching impact of the codes.

"We expect that this code will now establish a comprehensive framework within the minimum requirements for health, safety, and the environment, as well as be a guide to revise the legislation necessary for the implemen-tation of regulations required to support thereafter," he said via a recorded video presentation.

He said it would provide a platform for levelling the playing field for all industry stakeholders, spanning the areas of importation, refining, wholesaling, distribution, and retailing.