LPG industry group buys back illegally refilled cylinders

In an effort to protect consumers against dangerous and unauthorized LPG tanks, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Association (LPGIA) is now conducting a buy-bac*k campaign of illegally refilled LPG tanks to ensure that they will no longer be circulated in the market.

The LPGIA said that while law enforcement agents can confiscate the illegally filled LPG tanks, the association is implementing the buy-back initiative program to alleviate the financial implications for retailers who have been misled by the refillers, allowing them to partially recover the amount paid for the tank.

The association emphasizes they will be relentless in their campaign to eliminate fake and dangerous LPG tanks. The LPGIA warns consumers to be careful of retailers selling “fake” LPG products which are illegally refilled and carry brands of prominent LPG companies. Consumers can identify an illegal LPG retailer by asking for the Standard Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Energy. The certificate must be prominently displayed by the retailer at a strategic and appropriate location so it can easily be seen by the customers or the public. Failure to do so would indicate that the retailer is selling illegally refilled products

LPG tanks must be wellmaintained, meaning good condition – not rusty, free of dents and holes, and carry the mandatory markings such as the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), embossed tank weight, and the brand of the company.

The cylinder date should not exceed the requalification date painted on the body, which indicates that the cylinder should no longer be used and should be returned to the appropriate distributors and retailers.

The LPGIA encourages everyone to verify the genuineness of their LPG tanks by calling your LPG brand’s customer hotline.