Saxony Gas Stations Record 5,000 Deviations from 12-Hour Pricing Rule

Gas stations in Saxony have recorded approximately 5,000 instances of deviating from the "12-hour rule" governing fuel price adjustments. A spokesperson for the Saxon Ministry of Economic Affairs noted that this figure is relatively low when compared to other German federal states. Local district authorities are currently reviewing these cases to ascertain whether they constitute violations subject to fines.

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Around 5,000 deviations from the 12-hour rule have been identified at Saxony's gas stations.

"We have received feedback from the affected districts that in most authorities, the transmitted data is currently being reviewed and evaluated, and hearing procedures are being prepared or initiated," the spokesperson stated. The 12-hour rule, which took effect on April 1, mandates that gas stations may only increase prices once per day, specifically at 12:00 PM. Price reductions, however, remain permissible at any time. This regulation was introduced in response to the significant fuel price increases triggered by the conflict in Iran.

The Market Transparency Unit for Fuels (MTS-K), affiliated with the Federal Cartel Office, monitors price data from around 15,000 gas stations nationwide. These stations are required to report any price change within five minutes. In Saxony alone, roughly 5,000 deviations were logged between April and June; data for July is still pending. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, 38 price-setting entities with 46 gas stations are based in Saxony, distributed across its districts and the city of Leipzig. Dresden and Chemnitz currently have no price-setting entities falling under the Free State's jurisdiction.

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This is a relatively small number compared to other federal states.

In the district of Leipzig, two gas stations were found to have violated the 12-hour rule, as confirmed by the district administration office in Borna. Formal administrative offense proceedings have been initiated for these cases. The involved gas stations will be given an opportunity to respond before a final decision is made regarding potential penalties. A spokesperson for the district administration emphasized that processing these cases adds to the workload of the responsible fine authority.

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We have received feedback from the affected districts that in most authorities, the transmitted data is currently being reviewed and evaluated, and hearing procedures are being prepared or initiated.

Fundamentally, the Fuel Price Adjustment Act does not provide for a tolerance window or other exceptions to the 12-hour rule. The law stipulates that fuel prices can only be increased once a day, precisely at 12:00 PM. Violations are considered intentional or negligent administrative offenses. However, the extent to which penalties can be waived based on individual circumstances, such as technical malfunctions, is at the discretion of the respective enforcement authority.

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Two violations against the so-called 12-hour rule were found at two gas stations in the district of Leipzig.