State wants to tighten controls on the 12 o'clock rule at petrol stations

Saxony's Ministry of Economic Affairs wants to impose stricter controls and penalties for the 12 o'clock rule at petrol stations. (Symbolic image) / Photo: Peter Kneffel/dpa

Fines of up to 100,000 euros are threatened for violations of the 12 o'clock rule: Saxony wants to control petrol stations more strictly. How the Federal Cartel Office is helping and what will change for consumers.

The state government wants to monitor violations of the 12 o'clock rule at petrol stations and punish them more quickly. "The 12 o'clock rule is intended to create transparency and reliability, and we must therefore also ensure that it is adhered to," said Economics Minister Dirk Panter (SPD). Violations of the ban on multiple daily price increases can result in fines ranging from five euros to 100,000 euros.

The 12 o'clock rule has been in force since April 1 and stipulates that petrol stations may only raise prices once a day - at 12.00 noon. Reductions, on the other hand, are always possible. The requirement was introduced after the Iran war led to a sharp rise in fuel prices.

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Any deviation is reported to the responsible state authorities

The Market Transparency Unit for Fuels (MTS-K), which is part of the Federal Cartel Office, collects price data from around 15,000 petrol stations in Germany, according to the ministry. These are obliged to report any price changes within five minutes. In future, the MTS-K will also evaluate compliance with the so-called 12 o'clock rule. Any deviation will then be reported to the responsible state authorities.

In future, the districts and independent cities will be responsible for punishing violations and implementing the corresponding fine proceedings as the responsible enforcement authorities. The Saxon Ministry of Economic Affairs will coordinate the further procedural steps together with the central fine offices and support the districts and independent cities in the implementation, it was further stated.