EN 14214

The EN 14214 is an international standard that describes the minimum requirements for Biodiesel that has been produced from rapeseed, soya, jatropha or other virgin biomass, UCO (used-cooking oil), MSW (municipal solid waste) or from any viable fuel stock. The product (at 100% purity denoted B100 and when blended with mineral diesel at 5% denoted B5, 30% B30) consists of fatty acid methyl esters, from the isomers of glycerides C14 upto C24. Depending on the feedstock the distribution tends to be around C16 (Palmitic), Oleic (C18:1), Linoleic (C18:2) and others. The FAME content can be determined by Gas Chromatography using the European Norm 14103 methodology or similar ASTM method. Other methods for determining specifications are detailed in EN 14214 in each case with appropriate reference. The European Standard was approved by CEN (European Committee for Standardization) on 14 February 2003. The date, when the standard came to effect, varies depending on the country (eg. Finland 8 March 2004).

It is broadly based on DIN 51606. The ASTM and EN both utilise very similar methods for the GC based analyses, in particular the methanol content EN method is deemed acceptable to use by the ASTM.