JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The most reputable biodiesel quality program in the world is now an even more powerful tool for customers. The National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission (NBAC) today released a new certification for commercial laboratories to build on the industry’s successful marketer and producer certifications.

"Reliable lab results are a major factor in guaranteeing fuel quality," says Rod Lawrence, manager of quality control for Magellan Midstream Partners L.P. "This rigorous program will offer biodiesel customers the confidence that the lab that tests the renewable fuel is using best practices and has met standards for excellence synonymous with the BQ-9000 program."

The BQ-9000 Lab Program calls for quality management systems in commercial laboratories that analyze biodiesel and biodiesel blends. Laboratories must establish and maintain the quality management system to be eligible for the BQ-9000 Lab Program. Laboratories operated by BQ-9000 Producers and Marketers are also eligible to seek this certification.

The lab certification program focuses on several analytical related areas such as:

- Test result reporting
- Equipment calibration and maintenance
- Quality control
- Proficiency testing

"The BQ-9000 Lab Program makes the entire program more comprehensive, which in turn adds another level of assurance for biodiesel customers and end users," says Lawrence.

The National Biodiesel Accreditation Program is a cooperative and voluntary program for the accreditation of producers and marketers of biodiesel fuel called BQ-9000(r). The program is a unique combination of the ASTM standard for biodiesel, ASTM D6751, and a quality systems program that includes storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices. 

Additional information about BQ-9000 is available at www.bq-9000.com, and biodiesel information is available online at www.biodiesel.org.