In June last year, the Minister for the Environment announced an independent review of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to see the act's effects on fuel quality in Australia. The review was recently completed and the final report can now be read online. Let's take a look at some of the key takeaways from the report.

The review found that the amount of emissions and pollutants being released into the atmosphere from the use of regulated fuel has fallen significantly because of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000. This is great news, as it means the steps the government has taken to curb the harmful effects of fuel are working. 

When the act went into effect, its objectives were to regulate the quality of fuel supplied in Australia in order to:

• "reduce the level of pollutants and emissions arising from the use of fuel that may cause environmental and health problems"
• "facilitate the adoption of better engine and emission control technology"
• "allow the more effective operation of engines" 

The stakeholder feedback received and analysis undertaken as part of the review found that:

• there has been a general "improvement in health outcomes ... associated with exposure to ozone" since the act went into effect
• the act has indirectly "contributed to a reduction in the level of (assessed) greenhouse gas emissions arising from the use of regulated fuel"
• there has been "a quantifiable reduction in the mass of (assessed) pollutants arising from the use of regulated fuel, in both Melbourne and Sydney, with the exception of ozone formation"

The government isn't complacent with the impressive results in the recent review, however; they will keep the act in place and continue to amend it with the aim of ensuring Australians keep benefiting from it. Part of this means promoting the use of clean diesel and other clean fuels, and utilising fuel filters in the fight against contaminated fuel.

The review's results will be utilised within the government's comprehensive plan to meet their climate change targets. Around 17% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions come from vehicles, and the governments plan to lower this will also help lower the cost of running vehicles - benefiting consumers' pockets as well as the environment.

Along with helping the government, the review of fuel standards will also help to inform the Vehicle Emissions Ministerial Forum's work. This ministerial forum was founded in October 2015 in order to lower harmful emissions from motor vehicles in our cities and roads.

Here at Bulk Fuel Australia, we pride ourselves on our high fuel quality standards. As providers of bulk fuel nationwide, we can meet your business's fuel needs, wherever you're located. Contact us now to find out more.