Low-quality gasoline discovered in several regions of Kazakhstan
Tengrinews.kz — Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has responded to a parliamentary inquiry from Askhat Rakhimzhanov, who previously proposed tightening controls on petroleum products and creating a compensation mechanism for citizens affected by low-quality fuel.
What happened
Member of Parliament Askhat Rakhimzhanov addressed Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov following complaints from car owners regarding the quality of AI-95 and AI-98 gasoline. According to the MP, vehicles develop malfunctions after refueling, with repairs costing between 200,000 and 600,000 tenge. As examples, the deputy cited cases in Almaty where AI-100 gasoline was sold with more than triple the permitted sulfur content, and instances in the Kyzylorda region where AI-92 was sold as AI-95.
Official Response from the Prime Minister
In his response to the inquiry, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov stated that 78 gasoline samples have been tested in Kazakhstan since the beginning of 2024. In three cases—in Almaty, the Kyzylorda region, and the Zhetysu region—laboratory tests confirmed that the fuel did not meet established standards.
In total, the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology conducted 76 control measures at gas stations, including unannounced inspections and test purchases. Measures were taken in accordance with the law regarding the identified violations.
"When fuel is found to be non-compliant with established requirements, the responsible party is determined based on the results of state control and laboratory testing," Bektenov replied.
Furthermore, following consumer complaints from northern regions, authorities established an interdepartmental commission. It is inspecting the entire production and sales chain—from the refinery to the end consumer.
Notably, on August 25, the commission inspected the Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant. Laboratory results showed that gasoline samples taken at the facility met all established requirements.
QR Codes for Gasoline
Bektenov also reported that information regarding gas station inspections, identified violations, and measures taken is publicly available on the official resources of government agencies. Authorities are working to systematize this data and make it more accessible to consumers, including breakdowns by region and specific filling stations.
According to the Prime Minister, Kazakhstan already has a system in place for tracking the production and turnover of petroleum products.
The system allows for the monitoring of production volumes, shipments, sales, and fuel balances. Meanwhile, authorities are exploring the possibility of tracking every batch of gasoline from the manufacturer or importer to the specific gas station.
"Additional technical and regulatory work is underway to ensure the traceability of every individual batch of fuel from the producer or importer to the specific gas station, including the assignment of a QR code to information regarding the fuel's origin and laboratory control results," the response states.
To achieve this, it must be determined how to account for fuel batches during storage, mixing, and transshipment at oil depots, what information to include in the system, and who will be responsible for its accuracy.
Government agencies plan to work through these issues while considering technical capabilities and the need to avoid unnecessary costs for market participants.
Car Owners Can Claim Compensation
Bektenov specifically noted that Kazakhstanis are protected by law regarding financial expenses related to low-quality fuel.
Under the law, the seller is obliged to compensate for damage caused to a consumer's property due to product defects and, if the defect is confirmed, also cover expenses related to expert testing.
Furthermore, damage caused by product defects is subject tocompensation regardless of the fault of the seller (manufacturer) and, at the choice ofthe victim, shall be compensated by either the seller or the manufacturer.
"Thus, in the event of damage to a vehicle resulting from the use of low-quality fuel, the consumer has the right to filea claim for compensation directly against the seller or the manufacturer," the Prime Minister's response said.
Moreover, identifying the specific participant in the supply chain at whichthe degradation of the petroleum product occurred is carried out withinthe procedures provided by law and does not limit the consumer's rightto file claims for compensation for damages incurred.
In general, work to improve traceability mechanisms forpetroleum products, increase the effectiveness of state control,prevent the circulation of sub-standard fuel, and protect consumer rightsis carried out on an ongoing basis and remains under special supervision.
Background
Previously, numerous posts appeared on social media from Kazakhstanis complaining about the quality of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline.
Some users also reported vehicle breakdowns which they believed could be linked to poor-quality fuel.
A Tengri Auto correspondent visited a service station in Almaty firsthand to verify the scale of the problem and speak with experts. At the time of the visit, every service bay was occupied by vehicles that had broken down after refueling.
We also reached out to the Consumer Protection Committee to determine whether car owners can seek compensation for repair costs if a vehicle breaks down due to poor-quality fuel.
The agency explained that such recourse is provided for by law. However, the vehicle owner must prove not only the purchase of the fuel and the existence of the malfunction but also a causal link between the quality of the gasoline and the vehicle's breakdown.
"If it is confirmed that damage to the vehicle was caused by defects in the purchased fuel, the consumer has the right to file a claim for damages," the committee stated.