Lower Sulphur Diesel

The Petroleum Products Specifications Regulations 2002 require diesel supplied from 1 January 2006 to have a sulphur content of no more than 50 ppm (parts per million). In practice, lower sulphur diesel will come on the market several months in advance (beginning from September 2005) to ensure all diesel is compliant by the required date.

Lower sulphur content will mean fewer harmful emissions from diesel vehicles and will facilitate the importation of the latest clean diesel vehicles featuring advanced emissions control technologies.

Most diesel consumers will not notice any change in the operation of their engine. However, when lower sulphur diesel is first introduced, there may be a temporary increase in fuel injection pump seal failures for some vehicles (most likely pre-1995 Japanese light diesel vehicles).

Diesel owners should:

• Check for signs of a seal failure and have seals replaced if a failure occurs;
• Establish or maintain a routine maintenance program.

For more information see the documents below or contact 0508 33 55 33.

Documents

• Media Statement: Sulphur in Diesel to Be Reduced (29 August 2005)
• If You Drive a Diesel Vehicle You Need to Read This: Information on Lower Sulphur Diesel (August 2005)
• Information for Anyone Servicing Diesel Vehicles: Lower Sulphur Diesel (August 2005)
• Summary of the Technical Focus Group Meeting on Seal Failure Related to the Introduction of Lower Sulphur Diesel held on 29 April 2003

Archived Documents

These brochures were produced in 2004 for the first phase of the reduction timetable and are no longer valid.

• Lower Sulphur Diesel: Pamphlet (May 2004)
• Lower Sulphur Diesel - What Does This Mean? - Handout (27 February 2004)