Special regulations apply to biogenic fuels and combustibles from wastes or production residues that are deemed particularly worthy of promotion. Periodic auditing of the supply chain is intended to achieve maximum certainty of compliance with the approval criteria.
The following checklists are used for auditing the social and environmental criteria of the "Swiss Finish" for biofuels in a BTCert audit:
BTCert - Checklists HP BTCert CL ecological
BTCert - Checklists HP BTCert CL social
On the website easy-cert the BTCert certificates are published.
The following companies have been certified so far:
Alvinesa Natural Ingredients SA
BFS GmbH
Bio Oil Switzerland AG
Biodiesel Carinthia GmbH
Biodiesel Fuel Technology AG
Biodiesel South GmbH
Borregaard AS
Diamond Green Diesel LLC (EZV Audit 2020)
Domsjö Fabriker AB
EB Fuels FZC
Eco Fuel Trading SA
ecoMotion GmbH (EZV Audit 2019)
Kraul & Wilkening u Stelling GmbH
Landor fenaco Cooperative
Léman Bio Energie SA
MP Biodiesel SA
PremEster SAS
RB Bioenergy Ltd.
Recycling Energy Ltd
SEKAB BioFuels & Chemicals AB (including FCA Audit 2019) / Domsjö Fabriker AB
The following companies are registered with q.inspecta registered or the registration is being prepared:
BF Commodities SA
Lang Energy Ltd
SBF swiss biofuels AG
Tecosol GmbH
The "Biofuels Switzerland" association focuses on a holistic approach to quality. In addition to certification of the entire supply chain (BTCert), this includes semi-annual, unannounced surveys to check fuel quality. The samples are analysed in the laboratory and compared with their standard:
- Biodiesel: SN EN 14214
- HVO: SN EN 15940
Manufacturers and importers can submit their test reports to the Analytical Service Company (ASG) publish here voluntarily.
You can view the summary by Dr Wolf Radig, ELR Entwicklungslabor, in Bad Sulza here:
2023 Summer Survey - Summary Dr Wolf Radig
Increased sales and steadily growing storage quantities lead to a large number of intersections and locations that require professional handling of biofuels. Biodiesel (FAME) is hygroscopic and, as a mixture of organic esters, shows pronounced solvent properties. In addition, FAME does not have the same low-temperature properties as fossil diesel. Furthermore, FAME tends to stratify during longer storage, which leads to different analysis results depending on the type of sampling.
These documents serve as a training document for tank farm personnel and summarise findings from practical experience. The information applies to pure FAME (B100) as well as to all blends of fossil diesel.
Various documents are in progress and will be published in the course of 2021.
Until then, we recommend for the handling of biodiesel the housekeeping documents of the biofuel and the information from the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Qualitätsmanagement Biodiesel e.V. (AGQM). The AGQM published fact sheets, quality reports and no-harm lists of additive tests, which are also useful for the use of biofuel. Furthermore, the German Scientific Society for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Coal (DGMK) various research reports on the subject of heating oil Bio.
Worldwide, the minimum requirements for fuels and combustibles are defined by standards. The Swiss Association for Standardisation (SNV) is the superordinate and neutral point of contact for questions and needs regarding standardisation.
FOUNDATIONS
"A standard is a document produced by consensus and adopted by a recognised institution. It specifies, for general and recurring use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aiming at an optimal degree of order in a given context". (Definition according to SN EN 45020)
Created with consensus means that all interested parties can participate in the standardisation process. Critical voices must also be taken into account in the standardisation process. The following graphic serves as an example:
This means that a standard is not the work of a single interest group. The standard also reflects the current state of the art when it is published.
The application of standards is voluntary. However, a standard acquires a binding character as part of contracts or becomes compulsory if, for example, it is laid down in the terms and conditions of purchase.
Standards have various advantages in the fuel sector: The products always comply with the same standard with the same properties, which leads to easier market introduction, reduces costs and increases product safety. In contracts, the reference to standards also offers increased legal certainty.
Further information can be found on the homepage of the Swiss Association for Standardisation under the heading "About standards".
SWISS FUEL STANDARDS
The following national fuel standards apply in Switzerland:
Diesel: SN EN 590
Petrol: SN EN 228
Biodiesel: SN EN 14214
HVO: SN EN 15940
Bioethanol: SN EN 15376
E85: SN EN 15293
For motor vehicles, there are also standards for 10 % biodiesel blends SN EN 16734 and for 20 % / 30 % biodiesel blends SN EN 16709. Higher blends are not standardised and must be agreed on a case-by-case basis with the biodiesel supplier.
SWISS HEATING OIL STANDARD
The requirements for heating oil are described in SN 181160-2. In 2021 Heating oil organic is included in the standard as a new product and counts as heating oil extra light in addition to the eco and Euro quality.
From 1 June 2023, according to the current version of the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control, only pure organic heating oil or organic heating oil with bio-contents may be used in smaller heating systems with a firing capacity of less than 5,000 kW - e.g. in the area of detached houses and apartment buildings.
If you are currently still using heating oil Extraleicht Euro, we recommend the following procedure before the changeover:
1. consume fuel oil to a maximum of 10 % of the tank capacity.
2. carry out a tank cleaning.
Biofuels Switzerland
Swiss Biofuels Association
Bahnhofstrasse 9
CH-4450 Sissach