Start of round robin tests for biodiesel and vegetable and used cooking oils  

The Association Quality Management Biodiesel (AGQM) has launched its round robin tests.
Laboratories from around the world are invited to register by February 20 and become part of one of the world's most comprehensive quality assurance programs in this field.
In close cooperation with the Technical Committee for Mineral Oil and Fuel Standardization (FAM) at DIN, AGQM offers an internationally recognised round robin test programme for biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester, FAME) and vegetable and used cooking oils, which has been setting standards in analytical quality assurance for many years.
Participation gives laboratories the opportunity to verify their analytics, document their performance, and position themselves in a direct, anonymous comparison with more than 50 laboratories worldwide.
Thanks to the modular design, participants can efficiently, flexibly, and transparently select exactly the test parameters that are relevant for their laboratory.
A total of 124 different parameters are available in the eight parts of the round robin test, covering a broad analytical spectrum.
The main part of the biodiesel round robin tests comprises the test parameters specified in the 36th BImSchV in accordance with EN 14214, as well as additional parameters such as pour point and saturated monoglycerides.
In addition, the parameters oxidation stability, since 2025 also at 120 °C, methanol, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), total contamination and cetane number are examined in separate round robin test parts.
In 2026, another focus will once again be on the round robin test “Vegetable & Used Cooking Oils,” which includes analysis in accordance with DIN 51623 and EN 14214.
These tests are a central component of quality assurance in raw material control, as vegetable oils and used cooking oils serve as starting materials for biodiesel production.
“Our round robin tests offer laboratories worldwide an excellent opportunity to demonstrate and continuously develop their analytical competence,” said Jannes Gehl, quality manager at AGQM.