AGQM and FAM organize joint round robin for biodiesel and rapeseed oil fuel

Round-robins for verifying test methods and the correctness of the work of professional laboratories have a long and successful tradition with Fachausschuss Mineralöl- und Brennstoffnormung (FAM), the Mineral Oil and Fuels Standardization Committee within DIN. The increasing use of biofuel and biogenic mixing components increasingly requires round robins also for these product classes. For this purpose, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Qualitätsmanagement Biodiesel e.V. (AGQM) organizes round-robin tests for analytical systems of biodiesel and rapeseed oil fuels as part of the quality assurance system. Close cooperation between FAM and AGQM has developed also in this field during the last few years.

Over 60 participants from laboratories of biodiesel producers and commercial testing institutions are again expected to take part in this year’s international round-robin test. By staging joint round-robins involving a larger number of participants, FAM and AGQM would like to obtain distinctly more robust overall statistical results. The results of the round-robin will be analyzed on the basis of statistical rules which are accepted and standardized internationally for fuels and lubricants within the mineral oil industry and described in detail in DIN EN ISO 4249.

Triggered by the requirements of the Biofuel Quota Act and the regulations enacted on the basis of this act, biodiesel (FAME according to DIN EN 14214) and rapeseed oil fuel (DIN 51605) will be studied by this round-robin.

The German Ministry of Finance (BMF) and the main customs offices in Germany accept this round-robin test as a round-robin within the meaning of the current statutory regulations. The results are recognized as proof of qualification in combination with other quality assurance activities for the issue of in-house certificates according to the Biofuel Quota Act and Energy Taxation Act, respectively.

However, the mineral oil industry also requires batch-based proof of the product quality to be able to ward off unjustified complaints.

Service laboratories can refer to their participation in the round-robin as prequalification for winning analytics projects from state authorities for monitoring the 10th BImSchV (Fuel Designation and Quality Ordinance).

Participation in the round-robin is obligatory for AGQM members and participants in the international certification system Biodiesel Production AGQM Certified (BPAC) of AGQM.

The joint round-robin is a contribution by FAM and AGQM to improving the safe application of biodiesel and rapeseed oil fuel.

Interested parties can register their participation on or before 8 April 2011 with n.onrhzre@ntdz-ovbqvrfry.qr.

Editorial contact:
Dieter Bockey
AGQM Biodiesel e. V.
Claire-Waldoff-Straße 7
10117 Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0)30/31 904-215
e-mail vasb@ntdz-ovbqvrfry.qr