Trade associations

UKPIA is committed to sharing and learning across industry for the benefit of our sector and others.

By discussing non-commercial issues that impact across a number of stakeholders, UKPIA is able to contribute to improved performance and outcomes not only for ourselves, but for wider industry, for employees and contractors across our sector, as well as consumers and the communities who live and work alongside our industry's operations. 

An example of this in practice is the Chemical and Downstream Oil Industry Forum (CDOIF). CDOIF is a collaborative venture formed to agree strategic areas for joint industry, trade union and regulator action aimed at delivering health, safety and environmental improvements with cross-sector benefits. CDOIF's focus encompasses process safety, environment, legislation, occupational health and occupational safety.

Internationally, UKPIA plays an active role working with other National Oil Industry Associations (NOIAs) across Europe to collectively advocate for the interests of the downstream oil sector. As members of Concawe/FuelsEurope, UKPIA is part of a network of companies and trade associations that work to promote an economically and environmentally sustainable downstream oil sector across Europe.

UKPIA also works with others to promote health, safety and sound working practices in the fuels distribution, retail and marketing sectors by helping develop a number of self-regulatory schemes to ensure that workers in the industry and others, particularly contractors working on forecourts, are trained to meet specified standards. These schemes include:

• The UKPIA Forecourt Contractor Safety Passport Scheme, run by accredited training provider the Safety Pass Alliance (SPA). This training programme, recognised by UKPIA and its members, instructs workers at forecourts in safe working practices.

• The Petroleum Driver Passport (PDP) is an industry initiative backed by government to ensure that all tanker drivers in the UK are trained and assessed to a consistent, high standard. It has been developed by the Downstream Oil Industry Distribution Forum, which is a partnership of employers, industry bodies and trade unions.

• The Safe Loading Pass Scheme (SLPS) is a code of practice developed, owned and managed by industry. It is recognised by members of the UK Petroleum Industry Association and the Tank Storage Association. As an integral part of a participating petroleum terminal’s safety management system, it aims to identify vehicles and trailers that have been inspected on a minimum six-monthly basis. Only vehicles and trailers meeting specified safety standards are admitted to participating fuel loading terminals.

• The Forecourt Operator Training Guidelines aim to improve the level of competency among forecourt staff, with guidelines developed by the Petrol Retailers National Steering Group (PRNSG) to provide a clear understanding of the principles of safe operation and practice for operators who work at petrol retail sites.

For a more comprehensive list of organisations and groups in the energy sector that UKPIA works with, check out our Useful Links page.