Anyone who has ever wrestled with a gas bottle in a cramped motorhome might appreciate what comes next. The German Liquid Gas Association (DVFG) has imposed binding new safety requirements for gas tank bottles used in vehicles, effective July 30, 2026. The updated technical guideline, known as Arbeitsblatt G 607, sets detailed specifications for how these systems must be installed and operated in mobile units such as caravans and recreational vehicles.
Hardware Rules Get More Specific
The revised code demands that tank bottles be secured without tools and properly sealed. A safety coupling is now mandatory. These measures target the technical risks involved in storing and extracting liquid gas on the move.
The DVFG also zeroes in on where filling components can go. The fill hose must never run through a vehicle’s living space. The filler connection, which must be mounted on the vehicle’s exterior, needs a minimum clearance of 50 centimetres from any window. That distance is designed to stop escaping gas from drifting into the interior during refuelling.
Automatic Shut-Off and Ten-Year Checks
For everyday use, the new rules require an automatic fill-stop mechanism that cuts off the flow when the tank reaches 80 percent capacity. That buffer leaves room for the liquid gas to expand as temperatures rise. A contents gauge must also be fitted for constant monitoring.
On the maintenance front, the DVFG has clarified inspection intervals: gas tank bottles must undergo a technical check every ten years. That brings them into line with existing standards for pressure vessels.
Filling Stations Still Off-Limits — For Now
Despite the tighter technical specifications, the legal situation at German filling stations remains unchanged. The DVFG confirmed that refilling these bottles at public LPG stations is still prohibited across the country.
But change may be coming. The association said it is preparing an amendment to the relevant regulations, responding to growing demand from gas bottle users who want a legal and safe way to top up at existing infrastructure. The new safety requirements in Arbeitsblatt G 607 are seen as a key precondition for any future overhaul of refuelling rules.
