ERB, ZMA move to enforce petroleum storage and in-transit losses guidelines

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) have announced new enforcement measures to ensure consistent application of the Guidelines for the Application of Storage and In-Transit Losses in Zambia. According to the regulators, the framework establishes a harmonised approach for determining legitimate storage and in-transit losses while protecting consumers, transporters and petroleum marketers against unjustified quantity disputes. In February 2026, ZMA introduced the mandatory use of calibrated dip sticks and certified dip charts as the national authority responsible for legal metrology, to improve the accuracy, traceability and integrity of petroleum product measurements.

“Subsequently, on 3rd June 2026, the Energy Regulation Board issued a circular directing all licensed industry participants to fully implement the Guidelines on Storage and In-Transit Losses,” reads the statement. The circular included, among other requirements, the use of dipsticks and dip charts at both loading and offloading depots as part of product quantification. The June circular also discontinued the practice of automatic deductions of penalties without verification and established a transparent verification and dispute resolution process based on jointly verified measurements.

Despite these interventions, the ERB and ZMA said they continued to receive reports of operational challenges affecting implementation. “The OMC’s not adhering to the usage of Bulk flow meter as primary instrument and dip sticks and ullage marks as reference methods,” the regulators noted as one of the key challenges. Other challenges cited include failure by stakeholders to adhere to the prescribed dispute resolution process when product losses or measurement discrepancies are reported, resulting in unnecessary disputes and inconsistent application of the Guidelines.

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“Loading petroleum tanker compartments beyond their approved calibrated capacities, thereby compromising the accuracy and integrity of petroleum quantity measurements and increasing the risk of measurement discrepancies during delivery,” the two regulators further stated. In response, the regulators outlined three measures currently being undertaken to address the gaps. “Capacity Building and Industry Sensitization – Joint training and awareness programmes for depot operators, transporters, drivers and other petroleum industry stakeholders commenced in June 2026 and will continue nationwide to ensure consistent understanding and application of the Guidelines,” the ERB and ZMA said.

The second measure was Multi-Sectoral Oversight where a task team comprising representatives from the regulators and the private sector had been constituted to identify implementation gaps and recommend practical solutions. “Complaints Resolution Mechanism, the ERB and ZMA are committed to receiving, investigating, and resolving all complaints of alleged fuel shortages within a reasonable timeframe,” the statement added.

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