Details of the AGQM-Profile

• The basis of all activities is still AGQM’s quality management concept which sets standards worldwide. With this customised programme AGQM offers its members extensive support regarding quality management, the solution and handling of technical problems and analytical issues. The competent team in the Berlin Office closely cooperates with experts of member companies as well as external ones.
• Biodiesel is no longer a national phenomenon – today Biodiesel is traded across borders. New feedstocks and alternating combinations of feedstocks pose new technical and analytical questions. AGQM meets these challenges and provides counselling for its member companies when problems arise.
• For years AGQM has been accompanying the German Biodiesel producers’ growing pioneering role in the trade which receives worldwide acknowledgement – also due to AGQM’s successful quality management. In order to also enable foreign producers to get involved in and profit from this efficient system, AGQM developed the BPAC (Biodiesel Production AGQM® Certified) system which comprises all basic elements of the AGQM concept.
• The fuel quality is determined by standards; e.g. in Europe EN 14214 applies for Biodiesel. For many years AGQM has actively been contributing to the development of these standards both nationally and internationally und has thereby become an acknowledged partner of all parties involved. Part of these activities are the new and further developments of standards and the contribution to the improvement of analytical methods.
• New developments are analysed, discussed with external experts and – if necessary – integrated into AGQM’s work schedule. That way, AGQM already saw and observed the increasing significance of Biodiesel as blend component in Diesel fuel (B5 and B7) at an early stage. In close cooperation with the mineral oil industry new topics were and are attended to in order to provide optimum information and counselling to producers, traders and also end consumers so that they do not stand alone when they are confronted with new developments.
• Increasing requirements concerning the fuel quality due to advanced engines and modern exhaust gas after treatment systems are not only a challenge for Biodiesel but also for Diesel fuel as such. Diesel fuels have been developed in recent years; AGQM analyses the impact of that development on the Biodiesel industry and gives support in case of adjustment to changes.
• Future topics concerning Biodiesel are an additional part of AGQM’s objectives. Joint projects with the mineral and automotive industries as well as with research institutes are part of AGQM’s work profile on the national level and concerning international cooperation. Besides current quality topics, the focus is also on the future of Biofuels. For that purpose AGQM has a Technical Committee, a penal of top-class experts, where project proposals are devised, discussed and put into action.
• Offering information and advanced training events – which are principally open to non-members, too – is also an essential part of AGQM’s activities. At symposia and seminars AGQM supplies information on latest technical developments, and analysis workshops are held for the training of laboratory staff. Also, seminars specialised in tax questions and new topics like the German Sustainability Act are organised. The training programme is rounded off by an annual international conference and workshops held in English. All of these events are an important part of AGQM’s national and international network of competence.
• Round Robin tests are an integral part of quality management. By participating in RR tests laboratories can compare their own performance with that of others and detect and eliminate weaknesses. In cooperation with the FAM (German standardisation body for mineral oil products) at the DIN, AGQM is currently organising the most extensive RR test for Biodiesel and vegetable oil worldwide, which involves laboratories from all over Europe and from Overseas. For German Biodiesel producers participation in this RR test is a prerequisite for the acknowledgement of their analysis certificates by the (German) Customs Authorities (Proof of the conformity to the standard according to the Biofuel Quota Act). Thus, with the data compiled in this RR test, AGQM supports international standardisation regarding any further development of test methods.