This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
On March 2016, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) published new guidelines aimed at enhancing safety in the LPG gas industry. The regulations, which came into effect immediately, outlaw the transport and retail of LPG gas cylinders without a permit from the authority.
According to the new guidelines, breaching the regulations will result in a fine of 10 million shillings or a five-year imprisonment upon conviction.
The EPRA requires all LPG cylinder retailers, wholesalers, and transporters to be licensed by the authority for each business location. The license will be specific to the authorized cylinder brands only.
The move is geared towards dealing with the rising cases of illegal LPG gas cylinder refilling, which has been eating into the profit margins of licensed LPG dealers.
The EPRA has also blamed estate LPG gas dealers for the rising cases of faulty cylinders that have led to explosions, some of which result in fatalities.
Under the new regulations, LPG cylinder retailers, wholesalers, and transporters will not be allowed to undertake the business of retail, wholesale, or transportation of cylinders of another brand owner without prior written consent from the brand owner.
The new regulations also make marketers directly answerable for accidents caused by LPG gas leaks, including compensation to victims.
