The Oil Storage Regulations aim to ensure that you store oil safely and minimise the risk of pollution incidents. They apply to oil stored in:
- tanks
- intermediate bulk containers
- oil drums
- mobile bowsers
- in Scotland, any container containing oil.
In England the Oil Storage Regulations may affect you if you store any kind of oil, except waste mineral oil, above ground, outside in containers with a capacity of more than 200 litres.
If you store waste mineral oil see our guidance on which oils are not covered by the Oil Storage Regulations.
In Scotland the regulations will affect you if you store any kind of oil above ground at your premises, regardless of the volume.
The regulations do not apply in Northern Ireland and Wales.
Storing oil for domestic use
If you store oil on premises used wholly or mainly as a private residence (domestic oil storage), the regulations only apply to your containers with a capacity of more than 3,500 litres in England, or 2,500 litres in Scotland. You will need to comply with Building Regulations for any new, replacement or altered domestic tanks.
England and Wales building regulations
Northern Ireland building regulations
Scotland building regulations
Storing agricultural fuel oil
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland separate regulations apply to storing agricultural fuel oil.
Storing agricultural fuel oil
Good practice
Even if the regulations do not apply to you, you should still consider meeting the requirements of the regulations, as they aim to prevent water pollution.
You are committing an offence if you cause water pollution, either deliberately or accidentally. For example, if oil from your site, or under your care, causes pollution, you may be prosecuted and fined.
In this guideline:
Do the Oil Storage Regulations apply to you?
Which oils are not covered by the Oil Storage Regulations?
General requirements of the Oil Storage Regulations
Storing agricultural fuel oil
Storing oil in fixed tanks
Storing oil in mobile bowsers
Storing oil above ground - good practice guidance
Storing oil below ground - good practice guidance
Dealing with oil spills
Oil storage further information
Oil storage legislation
