Fuel quality
Amendments to Australian Automotive Diesel and Biodiesel Fuel Quality Standards
Following extensive stakeholder consultation amendments have been made to the Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001 (the diesel standard) to allow up to five per cent biodiesel in diesel fuel without a labelling requirement from 1 March 2009. Minor technical amendments have also been made to update the Fuel Standard (Biodiesel) Determination 2003 (the biodiesel standard).
Amendments to the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001
The Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001 have been amended. The amendments have been made to implement recommendations from the first statutory review of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) and to address issues that have arisen from the administration of the Act. Stakeholders should note the new fee structure for applications to vary fuel standards under section 13 of the Act which apply from 1 November 2008.
The quality of fuel in Australia is regulated by the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) that places an obligation on the fuel industry, including fuel suppliers, to supply fuels that meet strict environmental requirements. The requirements are in place to reduce the adverse effects of motor vehicle emissions on air quality and human health, and to enable Australia to effectively adopt new vehicle engine and emission control technologies. The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is responsible for developing and enforcing a number of fuel quality standards made under the Act.
Fuel quality standards have been set for Petrol, Diesel, Biodiesel and Autogas. Ethanol has a fuel quality information standard. A standard has also been implemented for fuel grade ethanol. A standard for Diesohol will not be implemented at this stage. It has been decided to manage the supply of Diesohol and its associated safety issues through the section 13 approvals process . Monitoring is undertaken to ensure compliance with the standards. Penalties apply if standards aren't met.
Emerging fuel quality issues include: Olefins; Racing Fuels; Ethanol; Review of the Fuel Quality Standards Act; Alternative and Renewable Fuels.
Information tailored for you:
Consumers: complaints about fuel quality; fuel sampling program; ethanol in petrol
Fuel suppliers: your responsibilities under the Fuel Quality Standards Act; Clean Fuels Bulletin; labelling ethanol blends
Industry: report of the Biofuels Taskforce; apply to vary a fuel standard; annual statements for producers; Fuel Standards Consultancy Committee; Policy papers for comment; racing fuels
Consultants: calls for tenders and expressions of interest; background and discussion papers; Clean Fuels Bulletin