Senacon inspects fuel stations across Brazil over profit margins

Brazil's National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) has conducted a large-scale coordinated inspection of the fuel market across 14 states. Between September 22 and October 2, authorities carried out 532 actions, including 283 inspections of gas stations and 249 notifications. In Rio de Janeiro alone, 27 stations were inspected.

As part of the operation, Senacon has opened 129 administrative sanctioning processes regarding allegations of increased profit margins. National Consumer Secretary Ricardo Morishita stated that the investigation focuses on profit margin behavior rather than just final price fluctuations, particularly in light of government tax relief and subsidy measures. Morishita emphasized that increasing profit margins during periods of state effort to ensure citizen well-being is considered an abusive practice.

The inspections were supported by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), the Federal Highway Police (PRF), and various state and municipal consumer protection agencies. Several distributors, including Vibra Energia S.A., Ipiranga, Larco, and others, have been notified and are facing deadlines to present their defenses.