Guidance

Biodiesel: quality protocol

Updated 12 June 2015

© Crown copyright 2015

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biodiesel-quality-protocol/biodiesel-quality-protocol

This quality protocol applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

1. When the final product is no longer waste

Waste derived biodiesel will be regarded as fully recovered and no longer subject to waste controls providing you can demonstrate:

  • you used the correct waste input materials
  • you stored and processed the waste correctly
  • the biodiesel you produce meets BS EN 14214:2012, passes batch testing, and needs no further treatment before use
  • it’s only used as a fuel for either vehicle engines or heating fuel

2. Waste inputs

The only waste inputs you can use are:

  • waste cooking oil from restaurants, caterers and kitchens (European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code 20.01.25)
  • rendered animal fat and waste cooking oil from preparing and processing animal carcasses, meat, fish and other foods of animal and vegetable origin (EWC code 02.02.99)
  • waste oils originally edible, but no longer fit for consumption (EWC code 02.03.04)

If you make biodiesel from waste animal product, both your premises and procedures must comply with the Animal By-Products Regulations 1069/2009 and implementing Regulations 142/2011.

3. Meet the quality protocol standard

3.1 Record your incoming waste

You must keep records that include:

  • the waste type
  • its volume or weight
  • the source of the waste
  • delivery date
  • waste acceptance method (demonstrating the waste you accept is compatible with the allowed inputs)

3.2 Store waste products correctly

Follow:

3.3 Process the waste as defined in BS EN 14214:2012

You must test the first batch for which you seek quality protocol compliance. This is your evidence that you’re making biodiesel to the correct standard from the start.

You must then batch test once every 10 batches and at least once a month.

You must also:

  • carry out your own in-house testing of every batch, where permitted by BS EN 14214:2012
  • keep samples for at least 3 months in case anyone asks for further tests

4. Batch failure

If a batch fails, continue to treat the batch as waste and apply waste management controls.

You need to:

  1. Remove the batch from the process.
  2. Review your methods and controls, make any changes needed, then test every subsequent batch and repeat if necessary until you get a batch test pass.
  3. Re-refine the failed batch with either allowed waste or non-waste material – either way, you must treat all of it as waste until you get a batch test pass.

5. Unused biodiesel: loss of non-waste status

Quality protocol compliant biodiesel will become waste and subject to waste management controls if, at any stage, it is disposed of or stored indefinitely with little prospect of use as vehicle or heating fuel.

This applies to anyone holding stores of biodiesel, not just producers.

6. Blended biodiesel

If you blend quality protocol compliant biodiesel with:

  • waste material, the whole mixed volume becomes waste and you must apply waste management controls
  • non-waste material, such as virgin oil, the whole volume is non-waste – and will also remain biodiesel providing the blend meets BS EN 14214:2012

7. Paperwork and records checklist

You must keep information about your waste recovery process and biodiesel production methods for 2 years. This includes where your products go to.

7.1 Incoming waste

Record all waste you accept for biodiesel production – you may also need this information for your permit conditions.

7.2 Production data

Keep a copy of:

  • results for each batch of tested biodiesel
  • all inspections and tests you carry out to meet BS EN 14214:2012 – this includes details of any test failures, and adjustments you make to your production and control methods to achieve a test pass

Remember to store a sample from every batch for 3 months – it must be of a size sufficient to allow follow-up sampling.

7.3 Outgoing biodiesel product

Keep copies of documents you give to your customers. These should show:

  • date of product dispatch
  • quantity by weight or volume
  • biodiesel batch number
  • name and address of the customer
  • description of the receiving company’s business
  • date of last BS EN 14214:2012 test
  • a copy of the quality statement – this should confirm you produced the biodiesel to the quality protocol standards and that it meets BS EN 14214:2012

Your records must be legible and available to the Environment Agency on request.

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