Registration open for AGQM’s 2026 biodiesel, vegetable oil, UCO round-robin tests

The German biodiesel quality management association AGQM announced Feb. 5 that it has launched its round-robin tests in 2026.

Laboratories from around the world are invited to register by Feb. 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 the German Institute for Standardization (DIN), AGQM offers an internationally recognized round-robin test program for fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), also known as biodiesel, and vegetable and used cooking oils, which has been setting standards in analytical quality assurance for 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 Germany’s 36th ordinance on the implementation of the federal emission control act (36th BImSchV) in accordance with EN 14214, as well as additional parameters such as pour point and saturated monoglycerides.

In addition, the parameters for oxidation stability—also at 120 degrees Celsius since 2025—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 for vegetable and 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, AGQM’s quality manager.

After completion of the round-robin tests, all participants receive a detailed, anonymized evaluation report and a certificate that serves as proof of analytical performance, a valuable tool for quality assurance.

In addition, regular participation in independent round-robin tests is a key element in the accreditation of testing laboratories.

AGQM round-robin tests thus provide laboratories with lasting support in ensuring and demonstrating their technical competence.

Registration for the round-robin tests is still possible until Feb. 20 at http://rrt.agqm-biodiesel.com.

Further information on the round-robin tests can be found on the AGQM website or requested at info@agqm-biodiesel.de.