New law seeks to regulate gas station operations

TIRANA, May.28 – The new law on competitive procedures for granting licenses to gas stations will apply not only to new operators entering the market, but to all existing stations as well. Those found not in compliance with the new regulations will be penalized by the possible loss of their business license. This will be especially applicable to those gas stations that have not respected the limits of distance towards the closest buildings, thus becoming a safety threat for their environment. Economy Minister Genc Ruli explained that his ministry, after reviewing the unregulated market, has prepared a draft law with new regulations that will soon be sent to the parliament for approval. The ministry had conducted a study to assess the situation on the ground. This study has identified the main problems related to the issue of local governments granting licenses to subjects who did not fulfill the requirements.
The study has also revealed that Albania has a record number of gas stations per square kilometer. This is well above the allowed number, which makes it possible for some of them to be as close as 2 km to each other, which is another irregularity. The law will set out clear regulations for local governments as well as regulate the quality of the fuel sold to motorists, which often is very poor, and contributes to environmental pollution.
In a meeting at the Central Technical Inspectorate in Tirana, Minister Ruli praised the merger of three different agencies into this central authority which will result in stronger oversights for the Albanian consumer.