We are the association of independent European oil traders from most of the member states through national trade organizations. Independents - mainly small and medium enterprises (SME) - but all independent from major oil companies are active in all states of the European Union.

Members of UPEI are active in all fields save crude oil production, that is in importing, wholesaling, retailing, distribution, logistics and refinings - and some in gas, electricity, and renewable energies.

Though most of our members are small and medium size, some of our companies are independent world class players in their own right.

Due to the different market structures and historical backgrounds in the European Member States, the importance of independents varies from country to country. In France, the market share of independent distributors for gasoline stands at 4.9 per cent, Gasoil at 11.5 and heating oil at 26.5 per cent. More than 44 per cent of filling-stations in the Netherlands are managed by independent suppliers. In Belgium, independents cover 80 per cent of heating oil market. Every seventh ton of oil consumed in Germany is sold by independent traders. In the United Kingdom, the market share of gasoline retail is more than 25 per cent, in Croatia 70 per cent.

UPEI and its General Secretary together with the Presidential Board represent and promote the interests of its members at European level.

• The function of UPEI within Europe is to
• ensure fair trading conditions for our members
• promote a competitive market
• encourage efficiency of oil supply, retailing and consumption
• represent the views of its members to legislative bodies in Europe
• seek equality of treatment for its members in the creation of laws and regulations
• seek to attain fairness and equal treatment of its members in the trade distribution and the retailing of petroleum products in Europe
• work for the internal market

• Independents represented by UPEI believe the following issues are important:
• reliability of current and future supply
• vibrant competition
• efficiency in the logistics of supply
• regional diversity
• alternatives in times of crisis
• independent and liberalized market
• protection of the environment