The Association for Quality Management Biodiesel (AGQM) has launched a new round of its round robin testing programme and invited laboratories worldwide to take part, Biofuels International reported.
Laboratories interested in participating can register until February 20 to join what AGQM describes as one of the most wide-ranging quality assurance programmes in the biodiesel sector.
The programme is run in close cooperation with the Technical Committee for Mineral Oil and Fuel Standardization (FAM) at the German standards body DIN. It covers biodiesel, also known as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), as well as vegetable oils and used cooking oils, and has been used for many years as a benchmark for analytical quality control.
By taking part, laboratories can check the accuracy of their testing methods, document their performance, and compare their results anonymously with those from more than 50 laboratories around the world.
AGQM said the modular structure of the programme allows participants to choose only the test parameters that are relevant to their work. In total, the round robin tests cover 124 different parameters across eight sections, offering a broad range of analysis options.
The main biodiesel testing section includes parameters required under the 36th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV) in line with the EN 14214 standard, along with additional checks such as pour point and saturated monoglycerides.
Separate test sections focus on oxidation stability — which, from 2025, also includes testing at 120 degrees Celsius — as well as methanol content, polyunsaturated fatty acids, total contamination, and cetane number.
AGQM said that in 2026, special attention will again be given to the “Vegetable and Used Cooking Oils” round robin test. This part includes analyses in line with DIN 51623 and EN 14214 and plays a key role in quality control, as these oils are used as raw materials for biodiesel production.
“Our round robin tests offer laboratories worldwide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate and continuously improve their analytical capabilities,” said Jannes Gehl, quality manager at AGQM.
