Want to use Biodiesel? – make sure it complies with the European Standard

EN 14214 is a European Standard that describes the requirements and test methods for FAME – the most common type of biodiesel.

• The technical definition of biodiesel is a fuel suitable for use in compression ignition (diesel) engines that is made of fatty acid monoalkyl esters derived from biologically produced oils or fats including vegetable oils, animal fats and microalgal oils.
• When biodiesel is produced from these types of oil using methanol fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) are produced.
• Biodiesel fuels can also be produced using other alcohols, for example using ethanol to produce fatty acid ethyl esters, however these types of biodiesel are not covered by EN 14214 which applies only to methyl esters i.e. biodiesel produced using methanol.

EN 14214 exists in three official versions – English, French, German.  

• The current version of the standard was published in November 2008 and supersedes EN 14214:2003.
• Differences exist between the national versions of the EN 14214 standard.  
• These differences relate to cold weather requirements and are detailed in the national annex of each standard.  
• It is important to know these differences if you are buying from or selling into these markets.  

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