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Regulation of Fuel and Fuel Additives: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Test Methods
EPA420-F-08-036, November 2008
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to allow refiners and laboratories to use more current and improved fuel testing procedures for twelve American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) analytical test methods. These updates allow for improvements in the test methods’ procedures that will ensure better operation and practicality of use of the test methods for the regulated community. Once these test method changes are adopted, they will supersede the corresponding earlier versions of these test methods in EPA’s motor vehicle fuel regulations. Also at this time, EPA is taking action to allow an alternative test method for olefins in gasoline.
- Elements of this Rulemaking
- Health and Environmental Impacts
- Gasoline Supply Benefits
- For Further Information
Elements of this Rulemaking
This action provides for an additional alternative test method for olefins in gasoline, ASTM D6550-05. The allowance of this additional alternative test method will provide more flexibility to the regulated industry.
This action updates the references in EPA’s regulations to ASTM analytical test methods to more recent versions for D2622, D3120, D5453, D6920, D7039, D1319, D4815, D5599, D5769, D3606, D86 and D5191. These test methods are referenced in EPA regulations for measuring chemical compositions in reformulated gasoline (RFG), conventional gasoline (CG), and motor vehicle diesel fuel. These updates are listed below along with the fuel parameters to which they apply and the regulatory status of the methods.
- ASTM D2622-05, sulfur in gasoline & 500 ppm diesel (designated test method)
- ASTM D5453-08a, sulfur in gasoline & 500 ppm diesel (alternative test method)
- ASTM D3120-06 e1, sulfur in gasoline & 500 ppm diesel (alternative test method)
- ASTM D6920-07, sulfur in gasoline & 500 ppm diesel (alternative test method)
- ASTM D7039-07, sulfur in gasoline (alternative test method)
- ASTM D5599-00(2005), oxygenates in gasoline (designated test method)
- ASTM D5769-04, aromatics in gasoline (designated test method)
- ASTM D4815-04, oxygenates in gasoline (alternative test method)
- ASTM D1319-03e1, aromatics in gasoline (alternative test method) in diesel (designated test method) and olefins in gasoline (designated test method)
- ASTM D3606-07, benzene in gasoline (designated test method)
- ASTM D86-07b, distillation temperature of gasoline (designated test method)
- ASTM D5191-07, Reid Vapor Pressure of gasoline (designated test method)
Health and Environmental Impacts
The clean air benefits of EPA’s gasoline and diesel motor vehicle fuel programs will continue to be realized, and there will be no adverse health or environmental impact as a result of these test method changes or updates.
Gasoline Supply Benefits
This direct final rule with its corresponding proposed rule will allow improvements in the test method procedures to ensure better operation of the test methods and provide additional flexibility to the regulated community.
These test method changes will be effective sixty days after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. We are confident that sixty days is sufficient lead time for industry to become familiar with and implement these ASTM test method changes or ASTM test method updates. The proposed rule also solicits comments on these changes. However, we do not anticipate any adverse comments and believe industry will be very supportive of these changes in the regulations.
For Further Information
You can access documents on this rulemaking on EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality Web site at: www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg_regs.htm
For further information about the direct final rule or proposed rule, please contact Joe Sopata at:
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mailcode 6406J
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
telephone: (202) 343-9034
e-mail: Joe Sopata (sopata.joe@epa.gov)