A joint inspection operation at gas stations, carried out in recent days, resulted in the inspection of dozens of operators and the seizure of thousands of liters of fuel. The action, which covered several regions of the country, comes at a time of rising prices and has placed the sector under heightened scrutiny.
According to , a website specializing in economics, companies and business news, the Food and Economic Security Authority and the National Entity for the Energy Sector were on the ground with the aim of verifying commercial practices and ensuring compliance with current rules.
At issue were aspects such as transparency in consumer information, the correct display of prices and the correspondence between advertised and charged values.
Irregularities detected and material seized
The operation took place in districts such as Lisbon, Setúbal, Leiria, Coimbra, Viseu, Braga, Porto, Vila Real and Faro. In total, 70 economic operators were inspected. Of these, 17 administrative proceedings resulted, reflecting a set of infractions ranging from technical failures to administrative non-compliance.
Among the most frequent irregularities are problems in the metrological control of equipment, lack of price communication at the Balcão Único da Energia, lack of mandatory periodic inspections and signs of unfair commercial practices. Authorities highlight that these failures can compromise consumer confidence and distort the functioning of the market.
On the ground, the intervention went beyond document verification. 13 fuel pumps and 25 hoses were seized, as well as 48,200 liters of fuel.
The operation also included the seizure of four pneumatic equipment and the sealing of a gas station. Additionally, 32 hoses were removed from operation due to lack of mandatory inspection every five years.
Quality control also under analysis
Another aspect of inspection was checking the quality of the fuels sold. For this purpose, seven samples were collected, including diesel and different types of gasoline, subsequently sent for laboratory analysis at an accredited entity.
The objective is to ensure that products comply with legal parameters and do not present deviations that could harm consumers or vehicles.
The action now taken is part of a context of greater attention to the energy sector, at a time when fuel prices have registered significant fluctuations. The authorities intend, on the one hand, to reinforce supervision and, on the other, to promote compliance with standards by operators.
According to the same source, both ASAE and ENSE emphasize the importance of preventive and pedagogical action. The entities also call on consumers to pay attention to the information available at gas stations and report any irregularities, thus contributing to a more transparent and balanced market.
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