Frequently Asked Questions
Petroleum
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Which relevant legislations govern petroleum activities in Eswatini?
- Petroleum Act No.18 of 2020.
Where can one purchase the Petroleum Act No.18 of 2020?
- Webster Print in Mbabane, Eswatini.
Who should apply for a license to Eswatini Energy regulatory Authority?
- Any person or business involved in a petroleum downstream activity is required by the Petroleum Act, 2020 to apply for a license of the same.
What is the maximum validity period for a licence?
- Fuel Wholesale Licence: 15 years
- Fuel Retail Licence: 10 years
- Fuel Commercial Licence: 3 years
- LPG Wholesale Licence: 5 years
- LPG Retail Licence: 5 years
Where does one access the license application forms?
- Application forms are downloadable from the Regulator’s website: Application Form's Page
Do petroleum companies operating prior to the enactment of the Petroleum Act of 2020 need to apply for a licence?
- All existing liquid fuel industry stakeholders have been allowed to operate for a period of 6 months effective 1st April 2021 whilst applying for a licence with the Authority.
- All liquified petroleum gas stakeholders will be allowed an alignment period of 6 months effective 1st June 2021.
How long is the application process?
- The evaluation process takes 90 calendar days from the day of submission.
Is there a licence requirement for transporting fuel that is more than 20 Litres and less than the distribution licence requirement?
- Anyone wishing to transport fuel above 20 Litres but less that 210 Litres should apply for a permit with the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority.
Where can one purchase the petroleum standards in Eswatini?
- They can be purchased online at the Eswatini Standards Authority website: www.swasa.co.sz
Fuel Testing Laboratory
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Are fuels being sampled in the country for analysis?
- Fuels are sampled around the country by ESERA Quality Inspectors. An annual schedule is followed to ensure that all retail sites and depots are inspected.
What is the aim of sampling fuels?
- To assist the country in ensuring that fuel consumed by the end user is of the right quality and specification.
How are ESERA Quality Inspectors identified?
- Quality Inspectors have ESERA identity cards which they produce to introduce themselves at any facility. Inspectors are trained to properly introduce themselves before conducting sampling work.
How is the sampling conducted at filling stations?
- Density on site checks
- Water content on site checks
- About 500ml of sample is withdrawn following approved sampling techniques and equipment to ensure product integrity at the tank is maintained.
How is the sampling conducted at borders and depots?
- ESERA has a fully equipped mobile laboratory which conducts onsite tests of the following parameters:
- Density
- Water Content
- Sulphur content
- RON and MON
- Distillation points
- It takes a maximum of 20 minutes per sample to run all tests.
- Samples are withdrawn by Quality Inspectors from tanks and tanker compartments using approved techniques and equipment.
- ESERA has a fully equipped mobile laboratory which conducts onsite tests of the following parameters:
What happens to the fuel samples and how do the operators get to know of the results?
- For onsite quick scans, the results are available immediately and written on the Site Visit Form.
- Samples are transported by Quality Inspectors to the laboratory for full analysis.
Is there a fuels standard in place in the country?
- The laboratory checks compliance of fuel products according to Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA) published standards:
- SZNS 016:2012 Unleaded petrol
- SZNS 017:2012 Automotive diesel fuel
How does the general public get a copy of the fuels standard?
- Standards are available for purchase through SWASA.
Where is the fuels testing laboratory located?
- Sandla, behind DIVT Offices, Opposite ECOT, Somhlolo Road, Mbabane.
What is the role of the fuels testing laboratory?
- To test the compliance of Petrol and Diesel to the SWASA approved standards in order to ensure that the end user gets the right quality of fuel that is permitted in the country.
Is the general public allowed to bring their own samples for testing?
- Members of the general public are allowed to submit samples of fuel for testing and currently at no cost, provided::
- They are bringing enough samples (Minimum 500ml)
- They are bring samples in clean glass containers that do not have leaks
- Samples are submitted by completing a request form and submitting it to ESERA physically or via email at info@esera.org.sz or WhatsApp +268 7808 7920.
- Then the sample can be submitted to the laboratory for analysis upon the appropriate response from ESERA.
Is the fuels testing laboratory accredited?
- The Laboratory is currently finalizing its processes to apply for accreditation with the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS).
What is the aim for seeking accreditation?
- The accreditation of labs improves facilitation of accurate and rapid diagnostics, efficiency of results and reduction of errors in the laboratory process. Accreditation is not about who is the best , but who has a system of standard procedures with the aim to improve the quality and accuracy of results.