Fuel Quality Directive
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On 1 January 2011, the EU Fuel Quality Directive came into force. The legislative revision comes with a higher level of bio fuels and standard fuels. Diesel may from now on contain 7% bio fuel and petrol 10% ethanol. The new directive requires boat builders to adapt their fuel systems, from tank to engine, in order to comply with the new regulation. Boat builders and brokers who sell used boats should be aware of this new directive. The regulation could have a degrading effect on the fuel installation on boats. A critical element of the directive is rubber fuel hoses, which can be broken down by the solvents in the new fuel composition. The older the boat, the higher is the risk of fuel hose and tank degradation. If the solvent breaks down the hose, the filter can be clogged by fuel particles, the engine can be damaged or a hose leakage can cause a serious fire. As it is impossible to predict what kind of effects the new solvent will have on fuel hoses and fuel systems in general, ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations) is actively working together with Notified Bodies to come up with a revised test specification. Before the EU Fuel Quality Directive, the maximum bio fuel percentage in diesel was 5%, which in practice never was fully implemented as it was driven by the market and the availability. |
