Georgia introduces eco-labelling to show quality of fuel

Georgia is introducing a labelling system to determine quality of fuel imported into the country where high quality petrol and diesel will be marked, allowing customers to know what quality of fuel they use.

Eco-labelling will start from April 2016 in Georgia, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources exclusively told Agenda.ge.

Eco-labelling is a voluntary method of environmental performance certification and labelling, which informs customers about the best alternative fuels including ethanol, biodiesel, biogas and various fuel blends.

A Ministry spokesperson said eco-labelling in Georgia will meet the European exhaust emissions standards for passenger cars. While the European Union (EU) uses the latest ‘Euro 6’ standard, Georgia will initially meet ‘Euro 4’ and ‘Euro 5’ standards.

Companies that import fuels of this quality will be given a ‘green mark’ and regarded as environmentally friendly while lower quality fuel below ‘Euro 4’ standards will not be issued a ‘green mark’.

Britain’s Automobile Association Developments explained the ‘Euro 4’ and ‘Euro 5’ standards, launched in January 2005 and September 2009 respectfully, concentrated on cleaning up emissions from diesel cars, especially reducing particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

The Ministry spokesperson said Georgia’s oil importer companies claimed they already imported high quality fuel but were happy to introduce the new eco-labelling system.

As of today fuel in Georgia meets national standards, which are also very close to European standards. In cases where petrol is imported from Europe the national standard is ‘Euro 5’ and for diesel, imported from Azerbaijan, the standard is ‘Euro 3’,” said the spokesperson.

The system will be voluntary for all companies that import oil into Georgia.

Georgia's Minister of Environment Gigla Agulashvili met officials from the Union of Oil Products Enterprisers, Importers and Customers yesterday and introduced them to the eco-labelling system.

The Minister said the initiative would increase the use of ecologically clean fuel in the local market, allow customers to know what quality of fuel they used and contribute to "healthy competition” between oil importer companies.

Oil companies interested in implementing the eco-labelling system and being regarded as "green” should apply to the Environment Ministry, who will then approve their labelling after a laboratory examination takes place.