The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a contract with the selected Consortium for the provision of mandatory marking of liquid petroleum fuels in Sarajevo on Thursday, thus starting the implementation of one of the most significant projects in the field of oil derivatives market control in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry stated.
Let us remind you that, as “Nezavisne novine” previously announced, the goal is, among other things, to protect consumers from low-quality fuel, and fines reach up to 40,000 BAM.
Today’s contract was signed by BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Staša Košarac and representative of the Consortium Riad Jazvin, and the signing ceremony was attended by the chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America in BiH John Ginkel and representatives of the companies that make up the Consortium.
The establishment of the marking system is foreseen by the Rulebook on the system of mandatory marking (marking) of liquid petroleum fuels, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers of BiH, and which for the first time introduces a unique system of chemical marking of unleaded motor gasoline and diesel fuel.
“The aim of establishing the system is to suppress the gray economy and illegal fuel traffic, prevent misuse and mixing of oil derivatives, protect consumers from low-quality fuel, ensure fair market competition, strengthen inspection supervision and improve the collection of public revenues”, announced the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH.
Market control
Košarac pointed out that by signing the Agreement on the provision of mandatory labeling of liquid petroleum fuels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, an important step forward was made towards the establishment of a modern, reliable and transparent system of control of the petroleum fuel market in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“By introducing a system of mandatory marking, we are getting a modern mechanism that will contribute to market safety, better consumer protection, higher collection of public revenues and strengthening of fair and legal business in the oil derivatives sector,” said Minister Košarac.
The representative of the Consortium, Riad Jazvin, said that, based on the signed Agreement, a modern system of monitoring the fuel market will be established in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the highest international standards.
A term of 90 days
“In accordance with the contract, within 90 days from the date of signing, the consortium will establish and put into operation a modern fuel marking system based on high-security technology,” said Jazvin.
Chargé d’affaires of the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, John Ginkel, emphasized that the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina share a strong partnership, which is growing and is based on mutual respect, economic cooperation and a common vision of regional stability and prosperity.
“American companies want to contribute to the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the increasing involvement of American companies strengthens the ties between our countries. Today’s signing is a wonderful example of that partnership in practice. The United States is proud to support American companies like Authentix and its local partners, led by INSPEKT RGH, who bring world-class technology and expertise to markets like this one,” said Ginkel.
What is written in the rulebook?
In the rulebook, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are, among other things, fines for taxpayers and laboratories.
As stated, the taxpayer will be fined 20,000 BAM if he does not perform the marking, if he does not allow the taking of samples for analysis, if it is determined after the control that the fuels he puts into circulation do not have the prescribed concentration of markers.
Fines for laboratories as well
The responsible person employed by the person liable for marking will also be fined 5,000 BAM.
For a repeated offense, a legal entity will be fined 40,000 BAM. If the offense is repeated a third time, the competent institution will revoke the work permit.
A fine of 20,000 BAM will be imposed on the laboratory in cases where, contrary to the provisions of this rulebook, it issues an incorrect test report.
The responsible person employed in the laboratory will also be fined 5,000 BAM for the misdemeanor.
