Conditions for obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility for a Retail Petroleum Station

A retail petroleum station is a key link that directly serves consumers; therefore, it must meet strict legal, technical, fire-safety, and environmental requirements. Under Decree No. 83/2014/NĐ-CP as amended by Decree No. 95/2021/NĐ-CP, a station may only operate after the Department of Industry and Trade issues a Certificate of Eligibility for Retail Petroleum Stations, once all of the following conditions are fully satisfied:

Conditions for obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility for a Retail Petroleum Station

1. Lawful ownership by an eligible petroleum traderThe station must be owned or co-owned by one of the following eligible traders: a retail petroleum agent; a general petroleum agent; a petroleum retail franchisee; a petroleum distributor; a petroleum import–export trader; or a petroleum producer having a distribution system in accordance with regulations.

Important note:The trader applying for the Certificate must be the named owner on the Certificate of Eligibility for the retail petroleum station.

2. The station is designed, constructed, and equipped in compliance with technical regulationsThe station must: be designed and built in accordance with the national technical standards for petroleum stations; fully meet fire prevention and fighting (FPF) safety requirements; have wastewater and solid-waste collection and treatment systems that comply with environmental protection regulations; and be fully equipped with standard-compliant measuring devices, dispensers, storage tanks, and other specialized petroleum equipment.

This is the most critical group of conditions, serving as the basis for the competent authority’s appraisal prior to licensing.

3. Personnel are trained in FPF and environmental protectionAll staff directly engaged in operations and station managers must: receive training and professional instruction in fire prevention and fighting; and hold valid certificates of training in environmental protection in accordance with current regulations.

This ensures safe station operations and minimizes fire/explosion risks and environmental impacts.

To be granted a Certificate of Eligibility for retail petroleum operations, a station must simultaneously meet three key groups of conditions: lawful ownership by an authorized petroleum trader; compliance with technical, FPF, and environmental standards; and a workforce properly trained in accordance with regulations.Full compliance with these conditions enables the station to operate safely, transparently, and lawfully.

The Certificate of Eligibility for a retail petroleum station is a mandatory “passport” allowing a petrol station to operate legally in the market. With a stringent set of requirements concerning ownership status, technical standards, FPF safety, environmental safeguards, and personnel training, a business is licensed only when it fully satisfies and demonstrates safe operational capacity as prescribed under Decree No. 83/2014/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 95/2021/NĐ-CP.

Preparing a compliant dossier, designing and constructing the facility strictly according to the standards, and ensuring that personnel meet training requirements are decisive factors helping the station avoid licensing refusal, administrative penalties, or business suspension during operation.

If an enterprise needs advice on standard-compliant station design, dossier review, preparation of procedures for obtaining the Certificate, or ongoing compliance support during operations, Vietlink Law Firm—with a team of experienced Industry and Trade lawyers and legal experts—stands ready to accompany and provide a full-package, accurate, and timely legal solution.

Vietlink is committed to supporting enterprises in building and operating petroleum stations safely, lawfully, and sustainably.

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