Members

Brafco

The Belgian Federation of Fuel Traders (BRAFCO) is a professional representative association representing the interests of companies active in the import, wholesale and/or distribution of off grid heating and transport fuels. Its membership includes independent entrepreneurs as well as family-owned SMEs and large companies. In particular, BRAFCO accounts for more than half of the petrol stations in Belgium.

Its principal mission is to defend and represent the interests of its members towards the Belgian federal and regional authorities. Its positions are determined in eight working committees created within the Federation (social affairs, service stations, gaseous fuels, solid fuels, liquid/heating fuels, lubricants, importers, and tax warehouses). As a recognised ADR training institution, Brafco also organises compulsory training courses for drivers of dangerous goods, including petroleum products.

HUP

The Croatian Employers' Association (CEA), founded in 1993, is the employers’ confederation of Croatia. It consists of 30 branch associations, including the Energy Association, a voluntary and independent association of employers that protects and promotes the rights and interests of its members, especially in the field of regulating business conditions, relations with State authorities, trade unions, labour, social and economic legislation, collective bargaining and concluding collective agreements.

The Energy Association of the Croatian Employers’ Association (CEA) brings together upstream and downstream companies across oil, gas, electricity, renewables and e-mobility in Croatia. Our members include leading fuel retailers (covering a majority share of the national service-station network), power and gas suppliers, RES developers, technology and service providers, and energy institutes. We advocate a stable, predictable and investment-friendly regulatory framework, actively engaging with ministries, market operators and regulators, and other authorities. Current priorities include a smooth exit from crisis-era price controls in fuels and energy, fair competition and security of supply, implementation of RED III/EED/AFIR, permitting reform for RES, and efficiency obligations for suppliers. The Association is chaired by President Emanuel Kovačić (INA – Industrija nafte d.d.), with Vice-Presidents Vladimir Sabo (E.ON) and Mario Valčić (Siemens d.d.).

SČS

SČS (Unie nezávislých petrolejářů) is the trade association of independent energy suppliers for transport operating on the Czech market, representing operators of gas stations, distributors of petroleum and alternative fuels, producers of biofuels and synthetic fuels, fleet card issuers as well as suppliers of technology and IT solutions for gas stations etc.

It was founded in 1996 in Moravia; since 2000, the association has been based in Desná.

Its main areas of activities are:

• monitoring and influencing the drafting and implementation of energy and business-related legislation and regulation, and representing and defending its members interests (in short, lobbying)
• informing members about changes in technical legislation and laws
• consulting services for members
• active communication with the media
• being involved with professional qualifications related to the sector

Apart from UPEI, SČS is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic and of the Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.

FFPI

The French Federation of Independent Oil Companies (FFPI) brings together ten independent companies in the oil sector whose main activities are the storage and sale of energy products: vehicle fuels (diesel, gasoline, LPG, etc.), marine fuels, fuels, and biofuels to consumers at service stations or through direct delivery. They also provide services to users in the areas of energy savings and facility maintenance.

The FFPI's main missions are to represent and defend the interests of its members before the French public authorities, in particular the DGEC (Directorate-General for Energy), the DGDDI (Directorate-General for Customs and Indirect Taxes) and the DGITM (Directorate-General for Infrastructure, Transport and the Sea). It campaigns for the promotion of low-carbon fuels. It also holds mandates within various public bodies or bodies created by the profession in areas such as social policy, health and safety, strategic stock management, energy efficiency, and the international promotion of the sector. 

UIP

The “Union des Importateurs Indépendants Pétroliers” (UIP) is an industry association that brings together the four petrol companies’ subsidiaries of the supermarket chains AUCHAN (Auchan Energies), CARREFOUR (Carfuel company), Leclerc (Siplec), and Intermarché (Scaped). UIP accounts for 62% of sales at service stations in France with a turnover of forty billion € and employing around hundred people. These companies are active in logistics, storage, and distribution activities.

The UIP aims to study and defend the rights and interests of its members, by monitoring and informing its members on issues affecting the petroleum industry and representing them in public bodies dealing with energy issues related to mobility.

Its activities include, participating in the preparation of EU and national legislation and regulations in collaboration with administrations and other organisations, discussing with public or private decision-makers whenever the defence of its members interests so require, proposing  any measures that could be useful for the development of the activity of its members, maintaining close contacts with the oil industry as a whole, in such areas as quality, safety and compliance of its members' supply chains, administrative, economic or financial questions in the import, transport, storage and distribution of petroleum products.

bft

The Bundesverband freier Tankstellen e. V. (bft) is the German association of independent petrol stations, representing over 530 independent medium-sized companies from the petrol station, mineral oil, and heating oil trading sectors. Together, bft members operate more than 2,800 retail stations, almost one in five petrol stations in the German network.

The purpose of bft is:

• to strengthen the economic independence of independent oil traders.
• To maintain a free market economy in the mineral oil trade.
• to advise and represent the members in matters of general, economic, social, and labour law.

Amongst bft's tasks are:

• To represent the interests of its members in the drafting of the legislation of the European Union, the federal government and the German Länder, especially in the areas of transport, economy, energy, environmental protection, and social policy.
• To promote exchange of ideas with the members, via the annual general meeting and other regional or thematic events
• To develop joint training and further education concepts with the aim of securing and further developing the economic independence of the members of the association, notably via the bft Academy
• Via the Purchasing Association of Independent Petrol Stations (eft), to organise joint strategic purchasing for medium-sized petrol station companies. The eft is also the organiser of the biennial trade fair "Tankstelle und Mittelstand".
• To manage the “bft” and "bft design” trademark, which indicate members’ affiliation to the association and a strong presence on the street.

MEW

The umbrella organisation MEW is since 1971 the voice of the independent petroleum and energy industry in Germany, promoting security of supply and fair competition in the mineral oil and energy market. It is an umbrella organisation, comprising three associations as members:

• afm+e : Import and wholesale
• UTV: Tank storage
• FPE: Fuels for Marine and Energy use

In turn, these associations have members, most of them medium-sized companies from their respective fields of activity. In total, MEW represents 85% of above ground tank storage capacity outside refineries, more than 3.650 filling stations for passenger cars and trucks and approx. 40.000 employees.

The aim and guiding principle of the MEW is to maintain security of supply in Germany and at the same time to contribute of making the transport and heating sector climate friendly. To this end, it holds expert discussions with policymakers, positions itself on various energy policy topics, and provides information on climate-friendly alternatives in the field of liquid energy sources. MEW represents SMEs that are highly motivated and - thanks to their flexibility - are well prepared to deliver fast and innovative solutions, provided that there is a suitable political framework.

ASSOPETROLI – ASSOENERGIA

Assopetroli-Assoenergia is the Italian association, founded in 1949, representing small and medium-sized enterprises operating in fuel distribution and energy efficiency services.

As a member of "Confcommercio – Imprese per l’Italia" since its inception, it benefits from strong institutional representation at national and local levels. It is also a founding member of UPEI, actively contributing to EU energy policy discussions and advocating for Italian SMEs in Europe.

The association operates across four main sectors:

• Retail Network: Road fuel stations and related services (car washes, shops, bars, repair workshops). Members own about 60% of Italy’s 22,000 fuel outlets.

• Off-Network: Fuel supply to public administration, industry, transport, agriculture, marine, aviation, and heating sectors, with SMEs handling roughly 50% of wholesale volumes. 

• Energy: Management of heating/cooling systems (fossil and/or renewable) and energy efficiency projects.

Lastly, there is a new section dedicated to companies operating in the low-carbon gaseous fuel sector.

Many members have diversified beyond petroleum, embracing renewable solutions and contributing to national decarbonisation efforts.

Assopetroli-Assoenergia has 14 accredited Regional Coordinations addressing local business and consumer issues, plus a Young Entrepreneurs Group fostering generational renewal and skills development in a largely family-run SME sector.

Members benefit from tailored assistance and consultancy services, all under a Code of Ethics promoting legality, fair competition, and consumer respect.

NOVE

NOVE (Nederlandse Organisatie Voor de Energiebranche) is the trade association for the independent fuel trade. NOVE represents the interests of independent, private fuel traders. NOVE has 130 members with 2,500 employees (fuel stations not included). They are active in the trade, wholesale, transport, storage and direct sale of liquid and gaseous fuels and lubricants on land and on water (both inland and seagoing). Around 50% of all public fuel stations in the Netherlands are operated by NOVE-members, equalling a turnover of 6 billion litres. Together, members of NOVE operate 400 tank trucks, 20 regional fuel depots and 90 inland tank ships.

NOVE's core activities are:

• Promote the interests of independent fuel traders.
• Organise training, seminars and courses.
• Provide members with industry-specific information, notably via the quarterly magazine inNOVE magazine, website and social media channels.
• Contribute to the development of legislation and regulations for the fuel sector.
• Answer questions from individual members.

As an employers' organisation, NOVE is responsible for the creation and implementation of the “Terms of Employment for the Fuel Company”.

PIPP

The Polish Chamber of Liquid Fuels (PIPP) is an economic chamber established in 1991 to support the Polish private fuel sector. It represents over 280 independent small and medium-sized enterprises. Currently, the Chamber includes operators of more than 1,500 out of 8,000 fuel stations in Poland; distributors operating on the wholesale market; entities providing services for the fuel market – service companies; several fuel importers and intra-Community suppliers, as well as a few intermediaries.

PIPP supports its members and contributes to the development of the fuel market in Poland through:

• Protecting and promoting the interests of its members before all government and local administration authorities in Poland, in particular by reviewing draft legislation and assessing the implementation and functioning of legal regulations concerning the liquid fuel sector.
• Active participation in all industry advisory bodies with the aim of creating optimal conditions for the activities of its members, including the creation of a platform for equal cooperation among all sector entities, and combating monopolistic practices and unfair competition.
• Promoting technical and organizational progress through active participation in conferences, trade fairs, and training sessions, in particular through the organization of the annual International PETROL STATION Fair.

SČSSR

The Association of Slovak Independent Petrol Stations is a community of businesses operating in the fields of petrol stations selling fuels and lubricants, and in the purchase, sales and storage of fuels and lubricants, including their imports and interactions with other disciplines that are related to the Slovak Republic.

The mission of the Association is to mission is to defend the common interests of its members by creating optimal conditions for the dynamic business of operating a service station delivering fuel, LPG and CNG, of investment and design, of stockpiling fuel, LPG and CNG, of construction activities, and of processing documentation associated with the operation of petrol stations and warehouses, transportation fuels, LPG and CNG and other related activities.

The SCSSR cooperates with Sappo (Slovak Association of Petroleum Industry and Trade) and SCS CR (Union of the Czech Petroleum Independents).

SNNK-WPC

SNNK-WPC is the Slovenian National Oil and Gas Committee of the WPC Energy (until 2023 the World Petroleum Council). It was founded in 1995 as a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political association that connects experts in the field of Slovenian oil and energy activities.

The committee provides comments and even pre-legislative cooperation with legislators in the field preparation of hydrocarbons and alternative liquid and gaseous fuels regulations. It is the voice of the industry.

Members of SNNK-WPC are representative fuel distributors, fuel retailers, cylinder gas distributors, lubricant producers. The entire value chain creates thousands local based employments.

WPC Energy is an international association created in 1933, based in the United Kingdom and accredited as NGO to the United Nations that - through its more than 60 national committees – represents over 96% of the world's energy consumption and production. Its aim is to facilitate an open dialogue around energy and its products and is dedicated to the promotion of their sustainable management for the benefit of all. The mission of WPC is to promote the rational ways to manage the world's oil and gas resources, and its purpose to build a dialogue between internal and external stakeholders who are seeking solutions to key technical, social and environmental issues, including managerial issues in the global energy sector.

One of its main activities is the organisation of the WPC Energy Congress which, with a typical attendance of over 15,000, including high-ranking executives and policymakers, provides a neutral and inclusive platform to debate and to define realistic, workable paths to a net zero future.

UPI

Created in 1994, the Unión de Petroleros Independientes (UPI) is a national trade association, representing the main independent operators of fuels in Spain.

UPI's purpose is to represent and defend the collective interests of its member companies in the distribution of energy products and services. Specifically, UPI carries out the following actions:

• It keeps public administrations informed of the situation and the specific problems of independent operators.
• It transmits to the competent administrations the position of its members on draft legislation and other matters affecting the sector.
• It advocates and promotes legislative improvements.
• It informs its member companies of the legislative developments in the sector and other developments of interest and provides them with collective advice.

UPI’s objectives are:

• To maintain a balanced and optimised regulatory framework.
• To keep a level playing field.
• To promote a market free of competition restrictions.
• To obtain the recognition of the contribution of self-employed to the fuel and fuel market.