Petroleum Storage Certificate (PSC) - Information for Site Operators
Information on the new arrangements brought about by the Introduction of the petroleum (consolidation) regulations 2014
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Overview of the changes: Arrangements under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 |
Arrangements under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 |
Impact of the changes in arrangements |
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A Petroleum Licence is issued for the storage of petrol to an individual or company for a specified premises. |
A Petroleum Storage Certificate (a ‘PSC’) issued against a premises only. |
There will no longer be a licensee therefore there is no need to transfer a licence between incoming and outgoing site operators. |
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The licensee is obliged to adhere to any conditions that are attached to the licence as well as the requirements in other relevant legislation. |
A registered keeper of petrol (the ‘keeper’) will be responsible for complying with all relevant legislation. The keeper has to be registered with the Petroleum Enforcing Authority (a ‘PEA’). There is a requirement for both an outgoing keeper and incoming keeper to notify the PEA of the change in responsibility. |
Where the keeper intends to pass the premises on to a new keeper they are only required to notify the PEA, there are no forms to be submitted, or statutory fees to be paid. |
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Special conditions of licence can be imposed by the Petroleum Licensing Authority (the ‘PLA’) in relation to the storage of petrol at the licensed premises. |
Additional conditions will not be added by the PEA. Instead fire and explosion risks associated with the storage and dispensing of petrol must be risk assessed by the keeper (this is an existing requirement under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002). |
Special conditions of licence will no longer be imposed. |
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Licences are subject to regular renewal (up to 3 year intervals at the discretion of the PLA). |
The issued PSC remains valid indefinitely until a prescribed material change occurs (as defined in the regulations) or the premises cease to be used for the keeping of petrol for a continuous period exceeding 12 months. |
A reduction in bureaucracy especially if the site is to remain unchanged for an extended period. |
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PLA approval must be sought for changes to be made to the approved arrangements at a licensed premises. |
The regulations define what types of works (known as ‘Prescribed Material Changes’) require advance notification. Works that are not Prescribed Material Changes can be undertaken without notification to the PEA. |
The responsibility to provide notification for certain activities at the certified premises is now clearly defined. There is a slight reduction in the type of works that require prior PEA approval. |
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A new licence would be issued following major works and significant changes to the approved arrangements. This may have incurred a new licence fee. |
Where prescribed material changes are made to the site, the certificate would be replaced with an updated PSC detailing the new arrangements. |
A revision to a PSC will not invalidate the payment period already paid for. |
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A licence fee is paid on the application for the granting, renewal or transfer of licence. Failure to apply for a licence or renew a licence constitutes a criminal offence for unlicensed storage. |
The keeper can choose the number of years for which they would like to pay, which may be up to 10 years. Fees paid are not refunded if the premises ceases to store and dispense petrol. Keeping petrol on dispensing premises without a valid PSC constitutes an offence. |
The administrative burden is reduced and there is a possibility of paying a reduced rate in advance should fees increase during the period for which the fee has already been paid. |
Statutory Fees
The fees for a Petroleum Storage Certificate remain consistent with the previous licensing system. Charges are based on the total quantity of petrol stored at the premises:
- Not exceeding 2,500 litres – £42 per year
- Exceeding 2,500 litres but not exceeding 50,000 litres – £58 per year
- Exceeding 50,000 litres – £120 per year
These fees are set by the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, as amended. They are reviewed regularly and may increase in the future.
Important information for keepers:
- The fee band is based on the total maximum working capacity (MWC) of all tanks storing petrol. MWC is defined in HSE Approved Code of Practice L133 and calculated using Energy Institute guidance.
- You can choose to pay for any period up to 10 years. This protects you from future fee increases and reduces the need for frequent payments.
- You must indicate your chosen payment period on the application form. Once this period ends, a new payment period can begin.
- If payment is not made, a debt may be recorded against the premises and the keeper.
Responsibilities of the Keeper
During the Transition Period
The aim of the new regulations is to reduce administrative burdens for both industry and enforcement authorities. For existing licensed premises with an expiring licence, a Petroleum Storage Certificate (PSC) will be issued based on the Council’s existing records. You do not need to submit supporting documents during this transition, but it is important to familiarise yourself with the new legal framework and your updated responsibilities.
Once issued, the PSC will list the tank compartments that the Petroleum Enforcing Authority (PEA) has approved for petrol storage. You must not store petrol in any tank that is not listed on the certificate.
In most cases, only tanks currently used to store petrol will be listed. However, in some situations, tanks used for other fuels may be included if they could be used for petrol in the future. If you plan to switch fuels, you must follow the requirements of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
The PSC application form will list all tank compartments at the site, including those used for other fuels. Only tanks currently configured for petrol will be included in the PSC. If you believe other tanks are suitable for petrol storage, you can submit evidence to support this. If accepted, the PSC will be updated at no extra cost.
For businesses with multiple sites, PSCs will be issued on a rolling basis, using the previous licence renewal date as the starting point.
Ongoing Responsibilities
Once your PSC is issued, you must:
- Notify the PEA if a prescribed material change is planned at the site.
- Notify the PEA if you intend to cease operations or transfer responsibility to a new keeper.
The incoming keeper must also notify the PEA at least 28 days before taking over the site.
In the event of an incident, such as a spill, leak, or damage to petrol storage or dispensing equipment, you must follow national guidance and best practice. Keep up-to-date site drawings available to ensure contractors understand the layout, including underground structures and drainage systems. These drawings should also be part of your emergency plan.
Finally, you continue to have responsibilities under other legislation relevant to the safe operation of such premises;