Tuesday, August 19, 2008 DOE sets standards for bio-fuels implementation
IN PREPARATION for the full implementation of the bio-fuels blend next year, the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a circular implementing the standards for bio-diesel and bio-fuels.
"Starting on the effectivity of the department circular, only coco-methyl ester (CME) conforming to Philippine National Standards/Energy Department QS 002:2007 shall be manufactured, sold, offered for sale, dispensed, or introduced into commerce as bio-diesel in the Philippines," the circular said.
The circular states that oil companies shall be responsible to require its supplier to provide "quality certification" for every product delivery made prior to blending with base diesel.
The Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates the use of bio-fuels such as bio-diesel and bio-ethanol to reduce dependence on imported fuels with "due regard to the protection of public health, the environment, and natural ecosystems."
"To ensure the integrity of the products for retail, the retail operator shall adhere to good housekeeping protocol particularly with regard to handling, storage and dispensing of bio-fuels blends. Correspondingly, oil companies shall ensure that their retail outlets and other customers are properly trained and equipped to handle, store and dispense bio-fuels," the circular added.
The bio-fuels law mandates an increase in bio-diesel blend to two percent from one percent, and five percent ethanol blend starting next year.
Moreover, the circular declared that only fatty acid methyl ester blended diesel conforming to QS 004:2007 shall qualify under the National Biofuels Program of the government.
The circular also states that only qualified entities shall be allowed to import unblended or base diesel for their own use or commercial purpose.
To qualify, they will have to get certification from the energy department that they have the capability and capacity to blend imported unblended diesel with the required bio-fuel component.
For those found violating the circular shall be subject to criminal and/or administrative sanction.
Rafael Diaz of the Asian Institute of Petroleum Studies said they expect the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (Campi) to endorse only those that conform to the standards set by the DOE.
Diaz added that B1 or B2 blends sold in retail pumps should have a stamp of quality certification as well as the CME manufacturers.
“This is a private initiative that Campi wishes to develop jointly with oil companies,” he said.
He said the inspection team of the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau is likewise mandated to regularly take product samples, test, and monitor compliance of quality and shall accordingly impose stiff penalty on both the supplier of off-spec CME and the oil firm that buys it. (MSN/Sunnex)
