Petroleum Safety Framework (PSF)

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities monitors an owner’s, operator’s and petroleum undertaking’s compliance with safety obligations.

The Petroleum Safety Framework is a collection of regulations, written regulatory documents and procedures that the CRU uses to regulate the industry.

It does this through regular inspections and reviews of quarterly safety performance reports.

View the Compliance Assurance System document for more information on the CRU's compliance monitoring methodology.

Forms for completion by owners and operators:

Enforcement powers

If the required standards have not been achieved, the CRU has significant enforcement powers at its disposal. This includes powers to prohibit activities in the interest of safety.

Fines of up to €3,000,000 also apply for failure to comply with enforcement actions.

Section 12 of theRequirements of the Petroleum Safety Framework paper provides more details on these CRU enforcement powers.

Gas Safety Framework (GSF)

Using regular audits and inspections the CRU monitors licensed natural gas and LPG undertakings' compliance with their safety case. A safety case is an outline of how they manage risks associated with their activity.

Enforcement powers

If the CRU finds a licensed natural gas or LPG undertaking is not in compliance with their safety case, the CRU can implement significant enforcement powers. These include the power to direct an undertaking to submit an improvement plan and to serve improvement and prohibition notices.

Fines of up to €25,000 also apply for failure to comply with enforcement actions.

These powers are set out in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012 which amended the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.

Electrical contractors and gas installers

The CRU investigates reports of alleged illegal electrical and gas works. We also take prosecutions and other enforcement actions against individuals who undertake electrical or gas works illegally.

It is an offence to carry out restricted electrical or gas works while not registered or to falsely portray oneself to be registered. The penalties for both offences are set out in the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (as amended). This includes a fine of up to €50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 years.

Find out more about the Safe Electric scheme.

The CRU also monitors the performance of the Safe Electric and RGI which are operated on schemes. The schemes are operated on behalf of the CRU by the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGI) and Safe Electric.

The CRU promotes continuous improvement in the schemes and monitors the compliance of gas installers and electrical contractors with the schemes as reported by RGI and Safe Electric.

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