Petroleum Enforcement Liaison Group (PELG)

PELG was set with the aim to facilitate appropriate and consistent enforcement by Petroleum Licensing Authorities (PLAs) through the dissemination of advice, guidance and good practice.

Under the sponsorship of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain, PELG was set up to devise guidance and provide advice to PLAs and licensees on the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 and to produce circulars (PETELs). Later, the role was broadened to provide a platform for revisions to legislation and played a key part in the devising and implementation of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) in Great Britain in 2002, and subsequently the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations (PCR) that came into force in Great Britain on 1st October 2014. PCR repealed the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 and introduced a certification regime to replace petrol licencing and separate notification of keeper arrangements. The authorities allocated to enforce PCR are referred to in the Regulations as Petroleum Enforcement Authorities (PEAs).

The aim of PELG is to facilitate appropriate and consistent enforcement by PEAs and compliance by petrol dispensing premises operators through the dissemination of advice, guidance and good practice.

PELG has six objectives; namely to:

• Discuss the need for advice and guidance (including on technical issues where there is a need for a consensus view among PEAs and HSE); to commission and agree such advice and disseminate it to PEAs and make it available to operators of petrol dispensing premises.

• Assess the implications for enforcement of new developments in technology, industry practice and procedures.

• Liaise effectively with HSE, PEA’s, National Fire Chiefs Council, Environmental Agencies and the associations representing the retail petroleum industry on matters within its remit.

• Assist in finding solutions to general problems that might otherwise incur costly and time-consuming appeals. 

• Ensure the principles of the Regulators' Code, as issued by BEIS is being followed.

• Advise PEAs on compliance with the National Local Authority Enforcement Code.

In 2012, the Energy Institute (EI) became the sponsoring organisation for PELG. The EI, as the leading professional body for the energy industries, recognises the important role PELG plays in supporting the retail fuelling industry. Historically, PETELs of a technical nature have been incorporated into Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations (the Blue Book) when being revised, and with the EI sponsoring PELG it reinforces this arrangement and formally establishes a link between both organisations. 

PELG membership comprises representatives from HSE, the English Regional PEA Groups, the Welsh Petroleum Enforcement Authorities, National Fire Chiefs Council, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Petroleum Primary Authority Partnerships (PAPs), Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), Petroleum Equipment Installers and Maintenance Federation (PEIMF), UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA), Downstream Fuels Association (DFA), Tank Storage Association (TSA) and the Environment Agency.

Although the EI provides Secretariat support, the EI is not formally represented on PELG.