Fuel pumps at petrol stations in Armagh City, Hamiltonsbawn and Markethill were among those inspected during a Northern Ireland-wide Trading Standards campaign aimed at ensuring drivers receive the amount of petrol or diesel they pay for.
The Department for the Economy’s Trading Standards Service carried out 87 unannounced visits between April and July. The inspections came as fuel prices were rising and consumers were facing increased costs at the pump.
What the inspections found
Inspectors examined 371 pieces of equipment during the campaign. Of those, 64 were reverified, while 12 were found to be outside the permitted limit of error.
Inspectors also identified technical and compliance issues involving fuel equipment. Ten items had non-compliant markings, 10 had incorrect or missing data plates, and 39 had incorrect or missing seals.
The inspections covered a wide range of businesses, including supermarket forecourts, service-station forecourts, small rural petrol stations, marinas, tyre depots and solid-fuel providers that also sell liquid fuel.
Trading Standards said the overall level of compliance for the dispensing of liquid fuel was high, but described the number of missing seals and data plates as a concern. Anti-tamper seals are intended to prevent fraud and unauthorised adjustments to equipment.
Action taken at non-compliant sites
Where problems were found, equipment was immediately removed from service for repair, recalibration or adjustment. Where possible, pumps were tested and reverified on the same day so that any potential detriment to consumers could be addressed.
Follow-up visits were then carried out at non-compliant stations to confirm that the issues had been corrected. The Department said Trading Standards had worked with retail service providers to resolve all identified non-compliance.
“Consumers in Northern Ireland have the right to get exactly what they pay for when they fill up at a pump, especially during times of rising fuel costs.”
Judith Gough, Trading Standards Service Metrology Deputy Chief Inspector, said the project was designed both to protect consumers from short-measure fuel and to maintain a level playing field for businesses operating in the sector.
How Armagh drivers can raise concerns
Consumers who suspect that a pump is delivering inaccurate quantities can report their concerns to the Trading Standards Service through Consumerline on 0300 123 62 62. Advice and complaints can also be submitted through the Consumerline service on the nidirect website.
Drivers can also use the new Fuel Finder service, which makes fuel prices available to third-party apps and websites so motorists can compare prices more easily.
The inspections were conducted under the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and the Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuels and Lubricants) Regulations. The Market Surveillance (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021 provide Trading Standards with powers to carry out market-surveillance duties involving weighing and measuring equipment.