UK rules on filling cans with diesel at petrol station

[Squaredy]

I have for many years been under the impression that the rules on filling cans with diesel are rather more lax than those about petrol.

 

But today I was told at a Tesco petrol station that my diesel containers are not legal.  To be honest they may well be right, but I want to get to the bottom of it so I know I am doing the right thing.  Since the new rules came in a year or two ago I no longer have red diesel delivered, and the easiest and cheapest way is now to buy it at the forecourt.  I only fill two 25 litre containers at a time, and only about once or twice a month.

 

Do they have to be metal?  Do they have to be marked as made to a certain standard?  Or is this only for petrol?

[GarethM]

Marked and approved as per 5litre petrol, in either plastic or metal at forecourt and has been for decades.

 

Metal jerry cans are approved and ok.

Edited April 12, 2023 by GarethM

[woody paul]

Plastic cans for diesel are black, or just use jerry cans. 

[eggsarascal]

I get red for my diesel heater in the ‘van from the local Wharf, they’d let me fill a carrier bag, legally, it should go in an approved container.

[Stere]

From google

 

HSE states that “suitable petrol containers” include:
•Plastic containers up to 10 Litres
•Metal containers up to 20 Litres
•a demountable fuel tank.

 

 

 

[Peasgood]

Not sure what the rules for diesel are but my local fuel station is happy to fill any sensible container. I have filled 205 drums many times and my mate often goes with an IBC. I think the IBC might be stretching it a bit.

They won't let you fill loads with petrol though, just as the above posts state.

You can buy diesel in 205 drums so it must be ok to transport them that way and therefore fill at a forecourt if you want. Tesco are probably just adding their own rules or the attendant not understanding the rules.

[Squaredy]

1 hour ago, eggsarascal said:

they’d let me fill a carrier bag

I seem to remember that when petrol prices were going up a few months ago a customer was actually filmed trying to fill a carrier bag with petrol....

[GarethM]

2 minutes ago, Squaredy said:

I seem to remember that when petrol prices were going up a few months ago a customer was actually filmed trying to fill a carrier bag with petrol....

Brings new meaning to "a bag for life"

[Doug Tait]

To be fair she double bagged it to be safe

 

https://youtu.be/XRjNdgAetQE

[eggsarascal]

9 minutes ago, Squaredy said:

I seem to remember that when petrol prices were going up a few months ago a customer was actually filmed trying to fill a carrier bag with petrol....

It was tongue in cheek, I get my red in an outboard motor fuel tank. I’ve seen many folks fill up ‘can’s’ that I’m sure shouldn’t be allowed. I guess it depends where you fill up.