Autogas (Installation and Certification) Regulations, 2010

L.N. 393 of 2010

MALTA RESOURCES AUTHORITY ACT

(CAP. 423)

Autogas (Installation and Certification) Regulations, 2010

IN exercise of the powers conferred by article 28 (1) of

the Malta Resources Authority Act, the Minister for Resources

and Rural Affairs, after consultation with the Malta Resources

Authority, has made the following regulations:-

(1) The title of these regulations is the Autogas

(Installation and Certification) Regulations, 2010.

(2) The scope of these regulations is to regulate the

installation and certification of autogas equipment and autogas

retrofit systems.

(3) These regulations have been notified in terms

of Directive 98/34/EC, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC, as

transposed by the Notification Procedure Regulations, 2003.

Regulation 6 (5)

Technical Specifications

The manual shall contain at least the following information

(a) description of the system ;

(b) a list of components and their alternatives of the LPG system

containing their identification number, their manufacturer code

and a type approval number, if applicable;

(c) detailed drawings or photographs indicating the exact position of

each component of the LPG system including the fuel tank;

(d) assembly instructions for the components;

(e) a wiring diagram of the electrical system indicating the

connections to components;

(f) limits imposed by ambient influences, e.g. fuel mix;

(g) instructions for the start-up operations which shall be performed

by the installer;

(h) a description of the diagnostic system, if fitted, including the

corrective actions to be taken in case of malfunctioning.

Safety Instructions

The manual should give

a) instructions for safe use of the system;

b) a warning of possible dangers due to misuse or when the manual or

procedures are not observed;

B

c) actions to be taken when the user detects a gas smell or gas leakage;

d) any adverse effects due to temperature or humidity e.g. if there is a

risk of starting problems due to vaporisation in liquid feed pipes when

the vehicle is parked during hot weather;

e) any statutory restrictions on the use of the vehicle e.g. parking,

maintenance, re-qualification;

f) detailed procedure and actions taken by the installer to check that the

system has been properly assembled and installed.

LPG System Description

A3.1 Filling of the LPG system

The manual should indicate the sequence of operations needed to fill the

LPG tank.

Particular attention should be paid to the maximum filling level of 80%

of the total volume of the tank installed in the vehicle.

The manual should indicate that in case of a malfunction of the

automatic 80% filling system the user should stop filling manually at

manually fill the tank up to the 80% value that can be indicated by the

LPG system installer when the total tank volume is known.

A.3.2 Switchover Procedure

The manual should clearly describe the method of switching over from

one fuel to the other by giving the sequence of operations.

A.3.3 Opening/Closing of manual valves

The manual should indicate the proper procedure to operate any manual

valves. This is particularly important when maintenance of the LPG

system has to take place.

A.3.4 Level Indicator

The manual should state the location of the level indicator, for example

at the dashboard or at the tank. The read-out should be explained, giving

particular attention to the 80% filling level.

A.3.5 First Use and adjustment of LPG system

The manual is to include all necessary information about running in and

adjustments of the system along with any recommended inspection, re-

qualification or replacement dates for LPG tanks, hoses or components.

Maintenance

If maintenance, for example draining of vaporisers, is required, the

manual should state the frequency and type of maintenance to be carried

out. The manual should indicate who is recommended to carry out such

work.

Guidance should be given that vehicles should not be put through a low

bake repainting oven or similar heating process unless the temperature is

controlled to less than 40 °C.

Defects and Repair

The manual should indicate what to do in the case of a defect and of

repair of faulty components in the LPG system.

When the LPG system is equipped with a diagnosis system the manual

should describe this system and indicate what actions need to be taken.

Scrapping

The manual should indicate that

B

LPG fuel tanks should be removed from a vehicle before the

vehicle is sent to be scrapped;

Tanks should be handled with care and stored in accordance

with codes of practice approved by the Authority;

Tanks which are to be scrapped should be destroyed in

accordance with the direction provided by the Authority, or

under the supervision of a competent person and in a manner

rendering them unserviceable for holding gas.

B

(1) Any reference in these regulations to the “Act” Interpretation.

unless the context otherwise requires, is a reference to the Malta

Resources Authority Act, and subject to the provisions of sub-

regulation (2) of this regulation, the definitions in article 2 of the

said Act shall apply to these regulations.

(2)

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise

requires

“the Act” means the Malta Resources Authority Act;

“autogas” means LPG with specifications according to

MSA EN 589 used for the propulsion of motor vehicles;

“autogas equipment” means equipment used for

the retrofitting of a motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its

propulsion system approved according to UN ECE 67;

“autogas retrofit systems” means a system used to

retrofit a motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its propulsion

system approved according to UN ECE 115;

“certificate of retrofitting” means the certificate issued by

a competent person after the carrying out of the retrofitting of

a motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its propulsion system;

“competent person” means a person approved by the

Authority possessing adequate level 4 (or higher) qualification

in a related engineering subject according to the Malta

Qualifications Framework; and suitable training and sufficient

knowledge, experience and skill in gas technology, to carry

out: work, supervision and certification related to autogas

including retrofitting.

“motor vehicle” shall have the same meaning as it has

under the Motor Vehicles Regulations, 2004;

“retrofitting” means the installation and, or fitting to a

motor vehicle of autogas equipment or of an autogas retrofit

system;

“suitable training” means the standard of qualifications

and practical experience possessed by a competent person to

carry out work related to autogas as specified in the relevant

certification;

“UN ECE 67” means the agreement concerning the

adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled

vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted, or used on

wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition

of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions;

“UN/ECE 115” means the Agreement concerning the

adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled

vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted or used on

wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition

of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions.

Regulation 4 (7) (b)

Application fee payable in respect of an application for

The applicable fee for an applicant to become a competent person is €35

€1.12

These regulations shall apply to motor vehicles using

autogas totally or partially as a means of propulsion and they shall

regulate the installation and certification of autogas equipment and

retrofit systems on motor vehicles.

(1) No person, other than a competent person, may

carry out supervision or certification in relation to autogas

equipment or an autogas retrofit system.

(2) No person may carry out any work in relation to an

autogas installation unless such person is a competent person, or he

acts under the continuous supervision of a competent person.

(3) No person shall pretend, purport or give the

impression of being in possession of any approval granted in terms

of these regulations without actually possessing such approval.

(4) Any person who wishes to be designated as a

competent person shall submit to the Authority an application,

together with all documentation, as required by the Authority.

(5) After reviewing the documents submitted

and having obtained the necessary approvals from the Malta

Qualification Recognition Information Council, the Authority

shall issue a certification of competence to the person submitting

the application. The certificate shall be valid for a period not

exceeding five years.

(6) The Authority shall assign to each competent

person a registration number.

(7) The Authority may decide to refuse an application

if

(a) the application does not contain all such

information and documentation required by the Authority

in the application form or any other additional information

or documentation that the Authority may request from the

applicant for the purpose of determining the application; or

(b) the application is not accompanied by such

application fee as specified in accordance with the Second

Schedule to these regulations.

(8) Any person designated by the Authority as a

competent person shall

(a) comply with any direction given by the Authority;

(b) execute the regulated operations, activities and

practices in accordance with any

(i) direction of the Authority;

(ii)

decision of the Authority; or

(iii) code of practice or guideline recognized or

issued by the Authority; and

(c) act in accordance and as required by any

(i)

direction of the Authority;

(ii)

decision of the Authority; or

(iii) code of practice or guideline recognized or

issued by the Authority.

(1) No autogas equipment or autogas retrofit system

shall be installed on a motor vehicle, unless it

(a) complies with the requirements of UNECE 67 or

UNECE 115;

(b) has been type-approved by an authorised type

approval authority in accordance with Directive 2007/46/EC

and its amendments;

(c) is safe to be installed in such a motor vehicle; and

(d)

is suitable for use for such a motor vehicle.

(2) Where the use of autogas equipment which is

not supplied with the autogas retrofit system is required, the

instructions of the manufacturer of the autogas equipment shall be

observed.

(3) The competent person who installs the autogas

equipment or retrofit system on motor vehicles shall

(a) follow good engineering practice during the

installation of the autogas equipment, or the autogas retrofit

system in accordance with any applicable codes of practice,

standards or guidelines recognised or issued by the Authority;

(b) follow the instructions as supplied by the

manufacturer;

(c) use the components of any autogas retrofit system

for not more than one motor vehicle;

(d) ensure that records are kept which ensure

traceability of the autogas equipment, or the autogas retrofit

system and its installation. The records shall include the

information as determined by the Authority as being required

to be kept and they shall be kept for a period of at least ten

years from the date of installation; and

(e) carry out checks, after retrofitting, to ensure that,

within the limits of the measuring method, emissions on the

original fuel have not deteriorated and that emissions on LPG

are less than those on the original fuel.

(1) The competent person responsible for the carrying

out of the retrofitting of a motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its

propulsion system shall, upon the satisfactory completion of such

retrofitting, issue a signed certificate of retrofitting.

(2) The competent person shall ensure that a certificate

of retrofitting contains the following information

(a) the name, address and registration number of the

competent person;

(b) the name, address and licence number of the

garage where the conversion to autogas of the motor vehicle

was carried out;

(c)

the engine number of the engine of the motor

vehicle;

(d) the registration number of the motor vehicle;

(e) the type, model, serial number and manufacturer of

the autogas retrofit systems or the autogas equipment;

(f) the date of installation; and

(3) The certificate of retrofitting shall also include the

following statement

“This is to certify that the LPG system of the above

motor vehicle has been installed, examined and tested in

accordance with the MRA Codes of Practice and found to be

satisfactory.”

(4) Each specific certificate of retrofitting shall carry a

specific identification number as the competent person is directed

by the Authority.

(5) The competent person is to provide the motor

vehicle owner with a Drivers Operation Manual, such manual shall

include the information prescribed in the First Schedule to these

regulations and it may also include the certificate of retrofitting,

together with a recommendation that this is carried in the motor

vehicle at all times for examination by authorised enforcement

agencies.

(6) The competent person shall issue identification

marks as specified in Annex 16 of UN ECE 67 together with the

certificate of retrofitting as directed by the Authority.

(7) Notwithstanding, and without prejudice to any

criminal or other administrative action which may be initiated

under any other law, a competent person acting in breach of any of

these regulations may be disqualified by the Authority from acting

as a competent person for a period of five years.

(1) The employer of any person carrying out any work

in relation to an autogas equipment or autogas retrofit system at any

place of work or premises under the control of the said employer,

or who is in charge of the work being carried out in any place of

work or premises, shall ensure that

(a) the work does not endanger any persons working

therein or any third parties; and

(b) a competent person is carrying out or supervising

work related to autogas equipment or to an autogas retrofit

system.

(2) The employer of any person carrying out any work

in relation to autogas equipment or to an autogas retrofit system

shall ensure that during the course of that person’s work, the

requirements imposed by these regulations or by the Authority on

such a person are being complied with.

The owner of a motor vehicle which has been retrofitted

shall ensure that the certificate of retrofitting is present in the motor

vehicle at all times.

A person who acts in contravention of any of these

regulations shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of not

less than two hundred fifty euro (€250) and not exceeding ten

thousand euro (€10,000).