The General Office of the State Council has announced a new set of guidelines aimed at advancing the high-quality development of refined oil distribution.
Source: Economic Information Daily
The General Office of the State Council has announced a new set of guidelines aimed at advancing the high-quality development of refined oil distribution. The "Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Refined Oil Distribution" outlines 21 measures across five key areas designed to strengthen market regulation, enhance oversight, and modernize the sector. A central aspect of the new policy is the prohibition of e-commerce platforms from obtaining refined oil retail licenses, aimed at preventing regulatory gaps in online sales. In addition, the policy promotes the expansion of chain operations among refined oil retailers to improve overall efficiency and service standards across the industry.
To streamline market access, the guidelines introduce a record-filing management system for wholesale and storage operations and mandate the establishment of a unified national standard for retail business qualifications. The new rules also strictly prohibit the resale, leasing, lending, or transfer of business licenses, as well as any unauthorized modifications or expansions of fuel stations. Additionally, businesses will be required to comply with refined oil ledger management regulations, and a credit-based classification system will be implemented for better oversight.
The Opinions stress the need for improved cross-departmental cooperation and greater transparency in the refined oil distribution sector. A new big data management system will be established to provide real-time tracking and monitoring of the entire distribution chain, from wholesale and storage to transportation and retail.
In addition, the government will bolster safety and environmental compliance measures, enforce quality control standards, and combat illegal activities within the sector. Strict regulations will also be imposed on the online sale of refined oil to curb unauthorized transactions.
The policy also focuses on modernizing the fuel distribution network to better serve rural and remote areas. Large companies will be encouraged to extend their retail networks into these underserved regions, with additional support for upgrading rural fuel stations.
The implementation of these measures is expected to improve market transparency, ensure a stable supply chain, and enhance service quality, driving the refined oil sector toward a more efficient, regulated, and customer-friendly future.