Vietnam to launch tighter gasoline specs

Vietnam appears to have finalized its decision to implement tighter specifications for gasoline on January 1, 2007, rather than July 2007 as some smaller importers had hoped for. The Directorate for Standards and Quality (STAMEQ) recently announced the timetable for the new standard, which will include the following specs: maximum benzene content of 2.5% from 5%; maximum sulfur content of 0.05% from 0.15%; and, iron and manganese content not exceeding 5mg per liter of petrol. The shift to lower sulfur diesel fuel may still be deferred to July 2007, however, due to concerns about higher import costs and, as a result, higher subsidies that will have to be incurred by the government. (October 6, 2006)