NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION 353
353. Mr I O Davidson (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) (a) How much fuel was imported in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011 up to
the latest specified date for which information is available,
(b) how much of this fuel was leaded fuel, (c) why is the import
of leaded fuel still permitted and (d) what sectors use leaded
fuel;
(2) Whether she intends to restrict or ban the importation of leaded
fuel; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW378E
REPLY
1. (a) The quantity of fuel imported in-
i) 2010 (Jan â Dec): 2.095 billion litres
ii) 2011 January (Latest): 216 million litres
(b) None of the imported fuel was leaded.
(c) In terms of the Regulations regarding Petroleum Products
Specifications and Standards of 23 June 2006 (No. R. 627), the
import of leaded petrol is effectively not permitted in South
Africa [except in terms of sub-regulation 3(1)(h) discussed
below]. Regulation 6(5)states that: âOffering for sale, selling
or providing metal-free unleaded petrol or metal-containing
unleaded petrol which contains lead additives is prohibitedâ,
and regulation 6(6) states that: âA licensed manufacturer or
wholesaler may not import petroleum products for consumption in
the Republic that do not comply with these Regulations.â
(d) To our knowledge, no sector uses leaded fuel. However, sub-
regulation 3(1)(h) of the Regulations regarding Petroleum
Products Specifications and Standards of 23 June 2006 permits
the selling of âpetrol with lead additives for use in aeroplanes
with internal combustion engines provided that: (i) only
licensed wholesalers may sell or provide such petrol; (ii) such
petrol is only sold to licensed owners or operators of
aeroplanes with internal combustion engines for their own
consumption; and (iii) such petrol is not stored on, sold or
provided from a site.â It should also be noted that metal-
containing petrol and lead replacement petrol (LRP) are
permitted in terms of the said Regulations. Metal-containing
petrol and LRP use metal-based additives other than lead. These
include manganese, phosphorus or potassium bases and all three
are considered safer and environmentally friendlier than lead.
95 octane LRP is available for older cars at the coast and 93
octane LRP is available for older cars in the inland region.
(2) In line with prior Cabinet decisions, the addition of lead into all
grades of petrol was banned with effect from 01 January 2006 and
subsequent pieces of legislation incorporated this ban / prohibition.