BERA rolls out LPG rules

The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) will be conducting public awareness campaign to sensitise the public and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry on the new LPG regulations which will come into effect on July 1. The regulations, which were passed by Parliament last year, govern the conduct of LPG licence holders and are designed to enhance safety, environmental protection and citizen participation in the sector. Under the environmental clauses, licence holders are required to carry out assessments before establishing LPG facilities and before making major improvements to existing facilities. They are also required to take all the necessary preventative measures to avoid pollution resulting from their operations. Licencees are required to adhere to the approved standards in the handling, storage, transportation and quality of LPG, which include ensuring that their cylinders are completely leak-proof, undamaged and suitable for storage. They are also required to keep a record of pre-filling inspections and not use cylinders that pose risks to human health or the environment. All cylinders used in the country are required to be marked with a distinct colour and labelled with the wholesaler’s trade name, the date of last major service, safety precaution label and others. The new regulations also empower BERA inspector to enter all LPG licence holders’ premises and conduct assessments of whether standards are being upheld. Violations of the regulations will result in fines not exceeding P5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.