A significant number of our employees use fuel cards provided by the company when refuelling their vehicle. Unfortunately, during a recent security investigation three of our employees were found to be abusing the use of their fuel cards and are subsequently no longer employed in our organisation.

CEMEX takes all discipline, ethics, and integrity related issues extremely seriously. The allocation of a fuel card is a measure of the organisation’s trust in our employees. As a result of this security investigation, a review of the policy has been carried out and additional checks and balances are being implemented to ensure the misuse of fuel cards is detected early and promptly addressed.

In particular, we would like to draw the attention of all fuel card users to the following requirements:

• Fuel, oil and AdBlue can only be purchased for the specified vehicle on the fuel card.
• Users are required to give vehicle registration details and accurate mileage information when completing transactions.
• Users must retain receipts issued on using the card and keep them available for inspection by Management, Internal Control and Security for a minimum period of two years.

Fuel is a valuable commodity, and we need to do all we can to keep it secure; whether that is fuel acquired by fuel card, stored in pumps and bowsers on site or even in our personal vehicles. With fuel prices continuing to spiral upwards, fuel theft is highly likely to increase.

To add to these issues, the regulations associated with the use of ‘red diesel’ is due to change in April 2022. The proposals will see the removal of the construction industry from the current list of those entitled to use ‘red diesel’ for business purposes. The taxes and levies CEMEX will pay on diesel fuel are therefore likely to rise considerably, rendering this fuel a particularly higher value commodity. It is fully expected standard commercial (undyed) diesel will become significantly more attractive to organised and opportunist thieves.

The Security and Operational Excellence Team are working to introduce methods to improve our security handling and auditing of on-site fuels and expect to be offering further advice in due course. In the meantime please remain vigilant and speak to Colin Jones or John Sweeting if you have any concerns.

We very much appreciate your continued support in upholding the ethics and values of CEMEX.

UK Security Team