Checked against the Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (Ver. 1, effective 24.10.2024) on 15 October 2026. Published by MDG Services on 17 October 2026.
What the rule says
Two records make up your reference density, the figure an inspector measures your fuel against. Both go in the density register.
- Every morning: before the first sale, take a sample at the pump nozzle and write down its density at 15°C. The latest time is 10 AM MDG 1.4.1(c) MDG 5.1.9.
- After every tanker: run at least 50 litres through the pump to clear the line, then take a nozzle sample and write down the density of the mixed product MDG 1.2(xiv).
Until a tanker is decanted, the reference is the invoice density. After decanting, it is the mixed-tank reading you wrote down MDG 2.10 MDG 3.1(h).
Which figure the inspector asks for
The inspector asks for the latest figure that should exist at the time of the visit MDG 5.1.9.
| When the inspector visits | Figure asked for |
|---|---|
| Before 10 AM | The previous morning's reading, or the reading taken after the tanker if one came the previous day |
| After 10 AM, no tanker unloaded yet today | This morning's reading |
| After 10 AM, tanker already unloaded today | The reading taken after that unloading |
If the figure is not there, MDG calls it "non-availability of reference density" MDG 5.1.9. At a mobile lab inspection a missing figure counts the same way, but the lab tests the fuel at the outlet first and the officer recommends the action MDG 5.1.9. See mobile lab inspections.
What happens if it is missing
Sales and supplies of every product stop at once. Samples of every product are drawn and sent to a lab MDG 5.1.9. The lab result decides what comes next.
- The sample passes. It is a major irregularity. Minimum action: a 15-day suspension of sales and supplies the first time, 30 days the second time, termination of the dealership the third time MDG 8.3.
- The sample fails. The action is the one for adulteration, a critical irregularity with termination at the first instance MDG 5.1.9 MDG 8.2.
See how repeat offences are counted.
Note: the penalty for a missing record applies even when the fuel passes the lab MDG 5.1.9.
An example
For example (a made-up outlet): a petrol tanker is unloaded at 2 PM on Tuesday. An inspector arrives at 8:15 AM on Wednesday and asks for the after-tanker figure. If that entry was skipped, sales and supplies of every product stop at once MDG 5.1.9.
General information, not legal advice. For your own notice, speak to an advocate or your oil company.
Questions dealers ask
01What is reference density at a petrol pump?
It is the 15°C density an inspector measures your fuel against: the invoice density until the tanker is decanted, then your own mixed-tank reading taken after at least 50 litres have run through the pump MDG 2.10 MDG 3.1(h).
02What time must the morning density be recorded?
Before the day's sales start, and by 10 AM at the latest MDG 1.4.1(c) MDG 5.1.9.
03What if the inspector comes before 10 AM?
The inspector asks for the previous morning's density, or for the after-tanker density if a tanker was unloaded the previous day MDG 5.1.9.
04Is missing reference density a major or minor irregularity?
Major MDG 8.3. If the lab sample fails, it is treated as adulteration, which is critical MDG 8.2. The oil company may take higher action once the irregularity is established MDG 8.5.1 MDG 8.5.2.
Read the official text: Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (PDF on Bharat Petroleum's website) (also published on iocl.com).
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