CPA Bulletin

22 CPA Bulletin > February 2023 www.cpa.uk.net PLANT THEFT: 2 As of 1st April 2022, the Government’s decision to prevent plant and equipment frombeing refilled with red diesel for contraction related projects, meant that all diesel-powered plant and equipment had to run on white diesel or an equivalent, e.g. HVO fuel. This has led to an increase in theft of fuel from tanks, bowsers and machinery, whether from depots or sites. One company, Datatag, has introduced a system called ‘Venom’ which can be added to a fuel system to help tackle fuel theft. Kevin Howells, who is the CEO of Datatag explains how it works. What exactly is ‘Venom’? Venom is simply a combination of specific fuel dyes and a unique forensic DNA material which are suspended in a hydrocarbon solvent. How does it work? Once added to fuel, the unique forensic DNA material and the dyes disperse easily through the fuel. Venom is fully miscible in diesel, petrol and HVO fuels. The DNA can be linked specifically to an individual, a company or a site or fuel location or even a machine. The dyes provide a distinct visual identifier of its presence that also acts as part of the theft deterrent. The use of our particular formulation of DNA even allows fuels with different DNA codes to be mixed and still individually detected by the use of qPCR testing. How does it act as a deterrent? The visual colour change in the fuel is the first deterrent. Anyone taking this fuel will be well aware it is treated with Venom. The high visual impact signage we supply along with Venom for fences, notice boards, bowsers and vehicles provides a second line of deterrent. This makes everyone aware that Venom is being used. Is there a colour in it, and if so, will it still be compliant with HMRC’s recent decision to stop plant and equipment from running on red diesel for construction projects? The colour we have chosen is a vivid green. We are aware that some European countries still operate rebated fuel and our closest neighbours France use blue. Ireland uses green and whilst there isn’t an issue to add additives into tax paid fuel including white diesel there are regular ongoing discussions and tests planned with government bodies, etc. Could I use a bespoke dye in the fuel which will still be Venom compliant, as well as HMRC/manufacturer’s warranty compliant? Venom has been tested to EN590 by SGS in Germany. EN590 provides the necessary qualification to prove that any dye or additive added to a fuel does not change the base fuels performance in any way whatsoever, such as changing the octane or cetane rating. This is (as you may know) the critical test for any dye or additive going into fuel. It gives the user and the equipment manufacturer the confidence that Venom will not damage any part of the fuel system, nor will it affect the emission of that piece of equipment. Because Venom is already a dye and DNA combination, there is no need to add another dye. If another were added it would change the colour, however the DNA would still be detectable. It would be the responsibility of the person or company administering the other dye to make sure that it is also EN590 tested and compliant for the machine manufacturer’s warranty and compliant with HMRC. Venom is a not a fuel additive to enhance performance. An additive as you know enhances fuel by increasing octane or cetane ratings as well as other aspects of the fuel to enhance it. Additives also contain surfactants for fuel system cleaning pre-combustion and potential heavy metal elements to clean exhaust systems post combustion; whereas Venom contains no surfactants or heavy metals. In short, it removes nothing and leaves nothing. Some hire companies and manufacturers may not want additives used as with all these things there could be a risk to wear components such as, injectors for instance. The dyes we use are commonly used dyes found around the world in rebated diesel which have been used for years with no detrimental effects on combustion engines. They are similar to the dye used in red diesel. Fuel Theft Deterrents - Venom