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The Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development has revealed a new regulatory framework for monitoring the quality of lubricating oils, aiming to regulate the petroleum market, ensure the safety of engines, and protect consumers’ purchasing power. This initiative is part of the implementation of Law No. 15-67, which amends and complements the royal decree concerning the import, export, refining, filling, storage, and distribution of hydrocarbons.
According to the project’s presentation note, its preparation involved a participatory approach that included the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Customs and Indirect Tax Administration, the Moroccan Institute for Standardization, the Moroccan Oilmen’s Association, and the Interprofessional Automotive Association of Morocco.
The draft regulation, currently open for public comments on the government’s official website, aims to define the procedures for monitoring the quality of lubricating oils upon import, manufacturing, filling, or sale for consumption. It seeks to enhance the administration’s monitoring capabilities, regulate sampling and analysis processes, and establish the technical specifications necessary to ensure that products comply with applicable standards.
The proposed regulatory text relies on Law No. 12-06 concerning assessment, conformity, and accreditation, Law No. 31-08 related to consumer protection, and decree No. 2.72.513 as amended, particularly Article 10.5.
The draft defines lubricating oils as petroleum products made from mineral or synthetic base oils, combined with additives, used for reducing friction, protecting moving parts, dissipating heat, and prolonging the life of internal combustion engines. It also outlines the concepts of analysis, official laboratories, accredited laboratories, and inspection points.
The draft mandates the quality control of lubricating oils through sampling and analysis by official laboratories or accredited laboratories, ensuring compliance with the Moroccan standard NM 03.8.010 or any subsequent standard that automatically replaces it.
The monitoring task is assigned to agents of the government authority responsible for energy, along with agents from accredited laboratories, requiring them to adhere to safety protocols and maintain professional confidentiality, and establish official records for sampling operations.
Regarding imports, the draft stipulates that quality control should begin immediately upon the vessel’s arrival at the port, with the presence of specialized agents, taking three representative samples of one liter each, which will be analyzed according to the established procedures at the importer’s expense. It also outlines rules for re-exporting non-compliant oils or transferring them to recycling facilities in accordance with current legislation.
At filling or manufacturing units, the project requires operators to obtain ISO 9001 certification or to implement a certified self-monitoring plan, conducting periodic analyses for each production batch and retaining reference samples, while allowing the government authority responsible for energy to conduct surprise inspections.
In the event of non-compliance of the oils with the established standards, a violation record is to be prepared and referred to the relevant public prosecutor, accompanied by visit reports and analysis results.
As for lubricating oils available for consumption within the national territory, the draft emphasizes the necessity of respecting the specified physical and chemical properties, adhering to filling and labeling requirements, and obligating producers and distributors to withdraw non-compliant oils for recycling or destruction, bearing all associated costs.
