China plans to further improve the management system of circulation of refined oil, and promote its high-quality development, according to a circular released by the General Office of the State Council on Feb 5.

To improve the management system, enterprises in wholesale, warehousing operations of refined oil should have business licenses with the above two businesses covered in its business scope, and obtain operation permits for hazardous chemicals and port operations. Besides, they should complete the record-filing process in the commerce departments according to related regulations.

Departments in charge of transportation, commerce, emergency response, taxes and market regulation should strengthen information comparison and sharing on enterprises engaged in refined oil products wholesale and warehousing operations.

An annual supervision and inspection system for retail enterprises in the refined oil sector will be established to improve the management system in the retail industry. Companies that do not accept the inspection or fail to meet the inspection standards will be required to rectify within a limited time, said the circular.

Archive management of evidentiary materials including sources, sales destinations, examination reports and inspection records of refined oil will be improved.

The guideline also calls for establishing tiered and classified credit management for enterprises in refined oil operation, and including whether the oil quality and quantity meet standards, pay taxes legally, ensure supply under emergency in the credit records.

To improve the service level and the efficiency of digitalized supervision and regulation in refined oil circulation, technical approaches such as big data and the internet of things are encouraged to help construct smart gas stations and big data management systems of refined oil circulation in areas with conditions.

Efforts will be made to intensify supervision of production safety, enhance management of environmental compliance, and regulate online sales of refined oil.

Furthermore, to promote the modernized development of refined oil circulation, the circular requires local governments to plan gas stations appropriately and encourage large enterprises to expand their retail systems to rural areas or even remote areas. Services of the gas station will be improved, according to the circular.

Qualified gas outlets in rural areas are encouraged to upgrade themselves into gas stations to ensure the oil demands for production and daily life in rural areas.

In addition, enterprises of refined oil operation are supported to research, develop and apply new technologies and equipment to improve the level of safety, environment protection and resource utilization, said the circular.