DOE orders CME maker to meet quality standards

The Department of Energy (DOE) has ordered all manufacturers of coconut methyl ester (CME), to comply with quality standards to ensure the country’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are met and reduce dependence to imported fuel.

CME, also known as biodiesel, is a renewable and biodegradable diesel fuel extracted from plant oil which would substantially help in reducing emissions from diesel-fed engines. In the country, biodiesel is made from coconut oil.

The agency published De- partment Circular No. DC201605-0006 signed by DOE Secretary Zenaida Monsada last month titled “Implementing the Modified Philippine National Standard Specification for Biofuels - Coconut Methyl Ester (PNS/DOE QS 002:2015).”

The circular stated manufacturers should only produce and sell CME conforming to the latest standard, PNS/DOE QS 002:2015.

Sought for comment, Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOEOIMB) director Melita Obillo said the DOE made mandatory the compliance with the PNS for CME products.

“Even with the PNS (Philippine National Standards), it was not mandatory without a circular. With the issuance, all manufacturers should strictly follow the specifications of their CME product sold in the market,” Obillo said.

Under the circular, CME manufacturers should ensure their products have a Certificate of Quality, “indicating the properties of the delivered coconut ethyl ester, which should be in compliance with the PNS.”

Non-compliance with the circular could affect the accreditation or certification with the DOE, Obilio said.

“There are also penalties under the Biofuels Act of 2006,” she said.

The Biofuels Act, or Repbulic Act 9367, mandates the amount of coconut oil for fuel to be blended with diesel may be increased taking into account such considerations as domestic supply and availability of locally sourced biodiesel.

Currently, the biodiesel blend is at two percent since 2009.