Flashback-proof pouring spouts are now a legal requirement for petrol containers following a change in UK petrol can regulations from October 1.
The Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 dictate that fully-compliant petrol containers must be fitted with anti-spill safety spout adaptors which prevent overfilling and the ignition of petrol vapour inside both spout and container.

However, there is a grace period of over a year during which it remains legal to sell non-compliant petrol containers.

The UK petrol can market is dominated by the sale every year of around 3m 5 litre plastic containers, 80% of which are sold from garage forecourts.

Richard George, whose company Easy-Fill invented and manufactures an anti-spill safety spout adaptor called Fill & Stop, expects both retailers and consumers to welcome the change.

"For the consumer, the minor extra cost is easily outweighed by the safety, pollution and cost-saving benefits, whilst retailers will enjoy higher margins," he said.