Panama clarifies: Small stores not fined for underfilled gas cylinders

Panama's Authority for Consumer Protection and Competition (Acodeco) has clarified its stance on inspections of 25-pound liquefied petroleum gas (GLP) cylinders. The agency emphasized that its verification operations are not intended to fine small businesses like mini-supermarkets or corner stores when a cylinder is found to contain less gas than indicated.

The primary goal of these inspections is to pinpoint the origin of irregularities within the distribution chain. Acodeco aims to ensure that consumers receive the full 25 pounds of gas for which they pay. Inspectors use calibrated equipment to weigh cylinders and verify that their net content matches regulatory standards.

When an underfilled cylinder is detected, it is removed from the point of sale. This allows for technical assessments to identify where the discrepancy occurred. Subsequently, the responsible distributor is notified to provide an explanation. If a violation of net content regulations is confirmed, legal sanctions are applied.

Acodeco's General Administrator, Ramón Abadi Balid, reiterated that the procedure involves removing the cylinder to determine the stage in the distribution chain where the anomaly originated. He assured mini-supermarket owners and the public that these retail establishments are not penalized simply for possessing a cylinder with less content. These operations are crucial for protecting consumers' financial interests and safeguarding public resources allocated to subsidize the 25-pound gas cylinders, ensuring that every family receives the correct amount of gas.

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It is important that the owners of mini-supermarkets, corner stores, and the public have the peace of mind that Acodeco does not penalize the retail business when it detects a 25-pound cylinder with less content than it should. Our procedure consists of removing that cylinder, carrying out technical verifications, and initiating the corresponding investigation to determine where the anomaly occurred.