A. M. The Legislative Assembly approved the Special Transitory Law to Sanction Violations in the Commercialization of Oil Derived Products, a regulation that seeks to protect the pockets of salvadorans in the face of the international increase in the price of oil, aggravated by the conflict between Israel and Iran. With 57 votes in favor, the deputies established that this law will be in force until june 30, 2026.
The regulation empowers the State to maintain vigilance over the activities of deposit, transportation, and distribution of oil products, obliging companies in the sector to comply with national and regional technical regulations, as well as with quality, safety, and weight standards. They must also facilitate immediate inspections by delegates of the Dirección General de Energía, Hidrocarburos y Minas.
The provisions include the obligation to respect the maximum price of liquefied gas in domestic cylinders, and to allow the interruption of the exit of transport vehicles during inspections, if so instructed by an authorized delegate.
Penalties for non-compliance range from US$500 to US$100,000, depending on the seriousness of the infraction. In addition, certain actions or omissions may be punishable by imprisonment, in accordance with the Penal Code for offenses related to the market, free competition and consumer protection.
With this transitory law, the State strengthens its regulatory and control capacity over the hydrocarbons market, in an effort to avoid abuses and guarantee fair prices for salvadoran households.
