ERB, ZMA ACT



Regulators move to enforce fuel measurement rules as petroleum companies face sanctions for non-compliance

By Francis Maingaila ❤️

Lusaka, Zambia24, July 23, 2026 — The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) have warned petroleum industry players that they risk administrative, regulatory and legal sanctions for failing to comply with guidelines governing fuel measurement and the management of storage and in-transit losses.

According to a joint press statement issued by ERB Manager for Public Relations Namukolo Kasumpa and ZMA Senior Public Relations Officer Sandra Mwila, the two regulators have moved to strengthen enforcement of the guidelines following reports of operational challenges affecting compliance within the petroleum supply chain.


The guidelines, which were developed in consultation with petroleum industry stakeholders, are aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and consistency in the measurement and reconciliation of petroleum products from loading to delivery points.

The regulators said the framework provides a standard approach for determining legitimate storage and in-transit losses while protecting consumers, transporters and petroleum marketers from unfair quantity disputes.

The ZMA introduced the mandatory use of calibrated dipsticks and certified dip charts in February this year as part of efforts to improve the accuracy, traceability and reliability of petroleum product measurements.

The agencies said the move was intended to eliminate inconsistencies in fuel measurement and ensure that all parties within the supply chain operate using verified and standardised measurement tools.

They further stated that on June 3, 2026, the ERB directed all licensed petroleum industry participants to fully implement the storage and in-transit loss guidelines, including the use of dipsticks and dip charts at both loading and offloading depots.

The directive also abolished the automatic deduction of penalties without proper verification and introduced a transparent dispute resolution process based on jointly verified measurements.

However, the regulators said they continue to receive reports of challenges affecting the effective implementation of the guidelines by some players in the petroleum sector.

Among the concerns raised are the failure by some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to use bulk flow meters as the primary measurement instrument, failure by industry stakeholders to follow the prescribed dispute resolution process when dealing with product losses or measurement discrepancies, and the loading of petroleum tanker compartments beyond their approved calibrated capacities.

The regulators warned that such practices compromise measurement accuracy and increase the risk of disputes over fuel quantities during transportation and delivery.

To address the challenges, ERB and ZMA said they have intensified nationwide capacity-building and sensitisation programmes targeting depot operators, transporters, drivers and other industry stakeholders to promote compliance and improve understanding of the guidelines.

The two institutions also revealed that they have established a multi-sectoral task team involving regulators and private sector representatives to identify implementation gaps, assess operational challenges and recommend practical solutions to strengthen measurement integrity in the petroleum sector.

The regulators further reaffirmed their commitment to receiving, investigating and resolving complaints relating to alleged fuel shortages and measurement discrepancies within a reasonable timeframe.

They cautioned that compliance with regulatory directives remains mandatory, warning that individuals or companies found violating applicable laws, licence conditions, regulatory directives or approved guidelines will face appropriate enforcement measures.

The possible sanctions, according to ERB and ZMA, include administrative, regulatory or legal action depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

The two institutions assured the public that safeguarding the availability, safety and integrity of petroleum products remains a key regulatory priority, adding that they will continue working with industry stakeholders to ensure accurate fuel measurement and transparent resolution of disputes across the supply chain.

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