CEN/TR 15569:2009

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2009
Trdna biogoriva - Vodilo za zagotavljanje sistema kakovosti
Solid biofuels - A guide for a quality assurance system
Feste Biobrennstoffe - Leitlinie für ein Qualitätssicherungssystem
Biocombustibles solides - Guide pour un systeme d'assurance Qualité
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 15569:2009
ICS:
03.120.10 Vodenje in zagotavljanje Quality management and
kakovosti quality assurance
75.160.10 Trda goriva Solid fuels
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 15569
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
July 2009
ICS 75.160.10
English Version
Solid biofuels - A guide for a quality assurance system
Biocombustibles solides - Guide du système d'assurance Feste Biobrennstoffe - Leitlinie für ein
Qualité Qualitätssicherungssystem
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 22 January 2007. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 335.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2009 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 15569:2009: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .5
4 Background .6
4.1 General .6
4.2 Purpose of this guide .6
5 Quality Assurance principles .7
5.1 General .7
5.2 Comparison of Quality Control and Quality Assurance .7
5.3 Previous, Current and Following Processes .8
5.4 Quality requirements . 10
6 Designing a system for solid biofuels quality assurance . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.2 Step 1 – Description of process chain . 13
6.3 Step 2 – Description of customers requirements . 15
6.4 Step 3 – Analysis of quality influencing factors . 18
6.5 Step 4 – Identification of Critical Control Points . 20
6.6 Step 5 – Selection of appropriate Quality Assurance measures . 23
6.7 Step 6 – Routines for separate handling nonconforming materials and biofuels . 26
Annex A (informative) EN ISO 9001:2008 – Useful cross references within this guide . 27
Annex B (informative) List of CEN/TC 335 Technical Specifications . 28
Bibliography . 30

Foreword
This document (CEN/TR 15569:2009) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 335 “Solid
Biofuels”, the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
CEN/TC 335 has received a mandate from the European Commission (EC) to develop Standards for solid
biofuels.
The documents produced by CEN/TC 335 Solid biofuels were based on the information available at the time
when they were developed. The BioNorm project (EC part-funded) was designed to provide supporting
information to CEN/TC 335 on solid biofuels. Part of the BioNorm Project (ENK6-CT2001-00556) was
designed to fill the gaps in the understanding of Quality Assurance in this field [16].
This guide has been developed from the outcomes of the BioNorm-project by Working Group 2 of CEN/TC
335 and provides information on how to develop and implement a Quality Assurance system within the solid
biofuels industry.
Introduction
Quality Assurance is defined as the “part of Quality Management focussed on providing confidence that
quality requirements will be fulfilled” (CEN/TS 15234). To achieve this, the processes in the supply chain need
to be in control. Effective control can be achieved, if Quality Assurance is being applied by each operator in
the supply chain. A well designed Quality Assurance system for solid biofuels can contribute to a more
transparent and efficient biofuel market. Based upon the requirements of the customer, and the known
strengths and weaknesses of a raw material and a process, operators can demonstrate they have taken the
measures to provide the desired quality. This establishes a confidence in the products. In this guide “product”
refers to the solid biofuel.
Clause 4 sets out the reasoning behind using a Quality Assurance system for solid biofuels, and Clause 6
defines the intentions of this guide and its interconnection with the CEN/TS 15234, Solid Biofuels — Fuel
Quality Assurance, from now on called "CEN/TS 15234" in this guide. The terms used in this guide are set out
in CEN/TS 14588 and CEN/TS 15234.
Clause 7 sets out a step-by-step methodology to help operators within the solid biofuel supply chain to design
a Quality Assurance System. The methodologies used in this guide are compliant with the requirements of
CEN/TS 15234. However, this guide does not distinguish between different groups of operators (e.g. producer,
supplier, etc.); it provides general guidance for the Quality Assurance applicable to each group of operators.
Annex A provides some guidance on the relevant parts of ISO 9001:2008 [1] and Annex B lists CEN/TC 335
Technical Specifications and Technical Reports.
It is recommended that a company specific manual is produced to reflect the Quality Assurance System.
The guidance and instructions given in this guide are recommendations, not requirements. The requirements
to be fulfilled for Quality Assurance are set out in CEN/TS 15234.

1 Scope
This guide has been developed to provide information about the Solid Biofuel Quality Assurance, and
presents a methodology that helps operators in the solid biofuels industry design an appropriate Quality
Assurance system according to their demands. It acts as a supporting document for the application of
CEN/TS 15234, Solid biofuels — Fuel quality assurance, developed by CEN/TC 335.
This guide is applicable for all operators dealing with solid biofuels within the scope of CEN/TC 335 from the
following sources (CEN/TS 14961):
 products from agriculture and forestry;
 vegetable waste from agriculture and forestry;
 vegetable waste from food processing industry;
 wood waste, with the exception of wood waste which may contain halogenated organic compounds
or heavy metals as a result of treatment with wood preservatives or coating, and which includes in
particular such wood waste originated from construction and demolition waste;
 fibrous vegetable waste from virgin pulp production and from production of paper from pulp, if it is co-
incinerated at the place of production and heat generated is recovered;
 cork waste.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
CEN/TS 14588:2003, Solid biofuels — Terminology, definitions and descriptions
CEN/TS 14961:2005, Solid biofuels — Fuel specification and classes
CEN/TS 15234:2006, Solid biofuels — Fuel Quality Assurance
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in CEN/TS 14588:2003 and
CEN/TS 15234:2006 (CEN—Terminology, definitions and descriptions for solid biofuels) and the following
apply.
3.1
manual
process or site specific document reflecting all activities related to the quality assurance system implemented
and applied in practise [16]
4 Background
4.1 General
The term “solid biofuel” encompasses a wide range of materials with different characteristics and properties,
as well as supply chains. Standardisation of solid biofuel properties, their sampling and test methodologies will
provide tools to facilitate the trade and use of solid biofuels within the market.
In order to increase the confidence of customers, it is essential that operators demonstrate that the specified
quality is reached, and that adequate controls are in place throughout the supply chain. The specified quality
can be influenced by a series of different factors, including technology and management of the processes.
Customers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of variations in fuel quality; consequently, large
customers often test for properties important to them. In extreme cases, deliveries may be rejected when the
quality is outside an agreed specification tolerance. If operators want to avoid such rejections, they should
introduce controls at suitable places across the whole supply chain, so called Critical Control Points (see 7.4)
By processing consistently, an operator will improve the stability, efficiency and effectiveness of the operation.
The Quality Assurance System should be designed to support this. The effect of this will be to reduce the
volume of sampling and testing required.
The term “specified quality” refers not only to fuel properties but also to the other customer requirements.
Those requirements differ from case to case and can vary greatly. However, most fall within two sets of
circumstances:
 small-scale end-users (especially domestic) who require high-grade fuels with narrow fuel
specifications;
 large-scale end-users who can take advantage of lower-cost raw materials by the use of
appropriately designed, fuel-flexible combustion plant [4].
It is important when designing and implementing a Quality Assurance System that it takes into consideration
the existing operation. The Quality Assurance System should follow the process, not vice versa and be aware
of the level and amount of sampling and testing required.
EXAMPLE: Operational time of the die used in a pellet factory
The longer the operational time the die runs in a pellet factory the more detrimental effect there is on the pellet quality
due to ware on the die holes. Quality Assurance systems should require Quality Control data to be provided to
assess the length of time the die has been running and hence the operational running time of each die and a
comparison between the dies, can be reviewed against expected running times. From this data a number of different
conclusions can be drawn and process changes made as appropriate.
Companies dealing with solid biofuels cover a wide range of activities. Some buy solid biomass, such as
residues from agriculture and/or forestry and convert it into higher-grade biofuels, while others only need low-
grade biofuels to produce electricity and heat. Each company requires a Quality Assurance System; however,
their individual Quality Assurance requirements and systems are likely to be different in each case. This guide
is recommended to cover the supply chain up to the delivery to the end-user.
4.2 Purpose of this guide
The purpose of this guide is to be of help when designing a Fuel Quality Assurance system based on
CEN/TS 15234.
The approach and methods used in this guide are compatible with CEN/TS 15234 and gives an overview of
the most relevant clauses in CEN/TS 15234 (see Table 1).
For those using or contemplating using EN ISO 9000:2005 [2] this document aims at bridging the gap
between the generalised text of EN ISO 9001:2008 and the specific needs of operators in the solid biofuel
market.
This guide does not discuss adaptations to production processes, nor does it set any pre-conditions in respect
of specific technologies or technological processes.
5 Quality Assurance principles
5.1 General
Quality Management EN ISO 9000:2005/EN ISO 9001:2008 is based on four elements, as shown in Figure 1
below. The application of these elements and their different measures depends on the individual
circumstances.
QQuualitalityy Managemen Managementt
QQuualitalityy Planning Planning QQuualitalityy Control Control QQuualitalityy A Assurssuraancence QQuualitalityy Improv Improvementement
ffooccuussed on:ed on: ffooccuussed on:ed on: ffooccuussed on:ed on:
ffooccuussed on:ed on:
SSeettttiing qualng qualiitty objy objectectiivesves FulFulffiilllliing qualng qualiittyy PPrrovioviddiing cng coonnffiidencdencee t thhaatt
IInnccrreasieasing tng thhee abi abilliittyy t too f fuullffiill
and sand specipeciffyiyingng requirequiremremententss qualitqualityy require requiremmententss w will beill be
qualqualiitty requiy requireremmententss
necnecessessaary operatry operatiionalonal fufulfillfilleledd
procprocessessees and ress and resourourcceess
requirequired tred too f fuullffiill t thhee
qualqualiitty objy objectectiivesves

Figure 1 — EN ISO 9000:2005 - Main elements of Quality Management
Each of these elements has its own measures and approaches. The Technical Specification for Fuel Quality
Assurance (CEN/TS 15234) covers Quality Control and Quality Assurance.
5.2 Comparison of Quality Control and Quality Assurance
It is important to understand the differences between Quality Control and Quality Assurance.
Quality Control is fundamentally about controlling the quality of a product or process to enable the delivery of
the product or service within agreed parameters in the most efficient and effective way. The consequences of
having good Quality Control will be a cost effective product and process.
EXAMPLE 1: Quality control of a pellet factory
A pellet factory operator will sample and record the pellet moisture content over the shift. If the moisture alters outside
given parameters the process will be adjusted to bring the moisture content back within specification. If the process of
drying the feedstock is known to be problematic and the operator does not monitor the moisture content in an
appropriate timescale, the company could have produced many hours worth of non-conforming pellets before the
issue is picked up. If the problem occurred in the first hour and the test is carried out at the end of a twelve-hour shift,
there could be eleven hours worth of product that is non-conforming. This is potentially very costly to the company.
EXAMPLE 2: Quality control of a wood chip producer
A wood chip producer has an agreement with a customer to provide no more than 5 % oversized chips. When the
chipper blades are blunt the producer knows the chipper makes out of specification chips. If the producer has a
tendency to keep using the same blades without sharpening them or changing them to reduce the chipper’s
downtime, the consequences could be to produce more than the 5 % oversized chips that the customer requires, with
the potential outcome of the chips being rejected, a blending of additional material has to take place or a reduction in
price to keep the customer happy.
Quality Assurance on the other hand, is about reviewing the products and processes, primarily through data
provided from the Quality Control records and using this data
a) to establish that products are produced within the required specification and processes are operated as
they should be, and
b) over a longer term assures either consistency is being maintained (stability in process results) or that
quality improvements are making the required impact.
Quality Assurance tools are excellent at providing data that allows the company to manage a process through
exception reporting.
NOTE Exception Reporting – reporting issues or activities that fall outside the normal pattern or are outside the
selected minimum or maximum range. Exception reporting enables the quality team to only investigate those incidences
that are outside the norm. Exception Reporting also reduces the volume of data to be reviewed.
From the two examples above for Quality Control, practical examples of Quality Assurance will be
demonstrated:
EXAMPLE 3: Quality assurance of a pellet factory
In the example of the pellet factory, if the processing moisture content data was trended and shown to be a
particular problem every three weeks on a particular nightshift, the issue could be identified as being a particular
delivery of feedstock or that a particular operator who co-insides with that shift requires additional training.
EXAMPLE 4: Quality assurance of a wood chip producer
The chip producer after reviewing a series of months customer service and blade sharpening data realises that
his customer’s satisfaction is reduced at the same time as the chipper blades’ running hours have been extended
over a specific number of hours, however, the producer now has an understanding of the additional blade running
hours before there is a detrimental effect on his customer service and the cost benefits over the life of the blades
due to the time saved and additional life gained by extending the run hours between blade sharpening or change.
By trending and reviewing the data through the Quality Assurance system, these issues are more easily
established.
Quality Assurance measures should
 be simple to operate;
 not cause undue bureaucracy;
 support regimes for cost reductions.
However, as stated, Quality Control is important in assessing the properties of the fuel produced and the
processes used.
In the context of the CEN/TS 15234, Quality Control includes the selection and use of appropriate sampling
and sample reduction techniques, as well as test methods for physical and chemical properties.
5.3 Previous, Current and Following Processes
Solid biofuel supply chains consist of one or several processes. Each process can either be a single operation
or multiple operations. The operations may be distributed among different companies (external customer) or
within the same company or department (internal customer). In this guide, the customer is defined as the next
operator in the process, whether within the organisation or across separate organisations (Figure 2). This
document is specifically looking at the Current process, however, it is important to understand the relationship
between the Previous and the Current Process, as well as the Current Process and the Following Process.
Each Following Process step (Customer) within the supply chain can be involved in defining the specified
quality. Figure 3 illustrates that using a typical pellet production and is shown from the producers´ point of view.
For ease of understanding and identification, in this guide, the Current Process is shown in a heavy Bold Box.

Supply chain
Customer Customer
Following Process
Previous Process Current Process
Supplier Supplier
Customer Customer
Following
Previous Current
Process
Process
Process
Supplier Supplier
Figure 2 — Descriptions of the Previous, Current and Following Processes
Raw
Identification and Preparation/
material
collection of saw Transportation of
process
dust saw dust
Processing
of saw dust
Preliminary
storage
Removal of
Production
contaminants
process
Drying
Chipping
Blending
DDiissttrriibutibution on
procprocessess
Pelletizing
Cooling
Storage of
Trade and
Reception of
pellets at the
delivery of
pellets by the
Packaging,
Retailer/end user
pellets
retailer/end user
labelling, storage
premises
Figure 3 — Example of the process steps in a pellet factory
5.4 Quality requirements
Quality Assurance aims to provide confidence that a stable or defined quality is continually achieved in
accordance with the customer requirements. It means that specified requirements are fulfilled; however, it
does not necessarily mean a high product quality. Customer requirements include, among other things, a
specified fuel quality and in many circumstance the quality of the performance of the company, in relation to
the service (such as timing, logistics and proper documentation).
Quality performance is mainly controlled by a company’s management [6, 7]. The Quality Assurance System
should ensure the product or service is provided within agreed tolerances and service parameters.
EXAMPLE: Quality requirement of raw material moisture content in pellet production
If a pellet producer requires sawdust at 10 w-% moisture content, because the company does not have a dryer.
There is no point for the raw material supplier, providing the sawdust at 30 w-% (problems in production) or
5 w-% (causes unnecessary extra costs for raw material supplier).
For solid biofuels to be accepted in the marketplace, it is important that the customer requirements, in terms of
the fuel properties, are fulfilled whether or not those requirements follow a fuel specification.
The quality of solid biofuels can be defined in terms of a number of key properties that relate to the suitability
of the fuel for a specific use. The selection of these indicators can differ from case to case, depending on the
application, the production processes and the occurrence of natural variations in the fuel characteristics.
Quality of performance means that you should consider asking the following questions:
a) How does the company recognise and fulfil the customer needs?
b) Is the work carried out both effectively, efficiently and within specification?
c) Are the customer requirements consistently met or exceeded?
d) How does the company operate in terms of specific product costs per unit?
Quality of the performance, within this guide, refers to the process and product performance, utilizing among
others; documentation, timing and logistical issues. Figure 4 illustrates the various performance
documentation requirements along the solid biofuel supply chain [6, 7].

Mandatory  Documenting origin and source
documents along the  Steps in the process chain
supply chain  Critical Control Points
according to  Criteria and methods to ensure appropriate control at Critical
CEN/TS15234: Control Points
 Nonconforming materials and biofuels
 Description of transport, handling and storage
 Fuel quality declaration/labelling
 Transportation information needed to handle and use the biofuel
Service:
in a proper way
 Availability of raw material, intermediate/final products to provide
products/service in time
Distribution
Raw material
Pellet production process
process
process
End
user
Examples of  Particle size, moisture and ash content of the raw material
documents on a  Requested particle size after screening
pellet production  Steam flow, temperature and pressure during drying process
 Particle size, temperature, flow and moisture during/after
factory:
grinding process
 Die pressure, temperature, flow, size of the die, additives
during/after pelletizing
Figure 4 — Solid biofuel supply chain – Performance documentation requirements
The documenting of information on raw materials, intermediate products, final products and the production
process parameters may be extremely useful for the proper treatment of the material during the production
process. It can also provide an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the production process, which
may assist in improving the product quality and process effectiveness and efficiency.
6 Designing a system for solid biofuels quality assurance
6.1 General
This clause describes a methodology that operators can use to design an appropriate Quality Assurance
system. The methodology provided, is compliant with the approach of CEN/TS 15234, however, the required
specifications of Step 2 in CEN/TS 15234 have been expanded on within this guide to emphasise the
importance of product quality and the supply chain companies’ performance.
The methodology ensures an efficient and effective control of the processes and provides useful control
mechanisms throughout the supply chain by integrating the processes before and after the current process [3,
4]. The process steps are identified and documented for a Quality Assurance Manual. This manual can
demonstrate to third parties that the solid biofuel supply chain processes are identified, managed and under
control when the Quality Assurance manual is being adhered to. Table 1 sets out the requirements for
documenting the process. It is recommended that these documents are used as the basis for the manual.
Figure 4 is explained in more detail in the following text.
An appropriate Quality Assurance system can reduce the frequency of testing and hence costs, as it gives
confidence that the processes are operating within production tolerances. Wherever possible, means should
be sought to exempt parties from unnecessary procedures. Nevertheless, good practice dictates the drafting
of flow diagrams or similar processes to identify the key stages in the production cycle [4] and ensure that the
stages in the production process provide the required levels of management, control and information. The
Quality Assurance system and hence manual, should therefore replicate the production or service processes
required to meet the customers and company’s business requirements. To support the Quality Assurance
system and Quality Control functions in the company a degree of sampling and testing will be inevitable.
However, the application of sampling and test methods is expensive and should be applied carefully and not
as a matter of routine.
Table 1 — Recommended documentation for a Quality Assurance system
Recommended documents References to sections below
Process Description of the process (6.2)
Requirement of input materials Requirements to be specified of a Previous Process (6.3)
Requirement for output materials Requirements necessary to achieve the process successfully (6.3)
Allocation of responsibilities Description of process (6.2)
Allocation of responsibilities (6.4a)
Critical Control Points and Quality Identification of Critical Control Points and application of Quality
Control measures applied Control measures (6.5)
Processes and test results Properly documenting processes and test results (6.6c))
Non-conforming materials and System for dealing with non-conforming materials and products
products (6.7)
NOTE Data needs to be important, required and meaningful. While many Critical Control Points will be required
permanently to provide specific, mandatory information, others may be required on a temporary basis while issues are
being resolved at specific points in the process. It is important to ensure the Quality Assurance system allows for a non-
prescriptive approach to problem solving to allow short-term problems to be resolved and improvements in the process to
be made, without them becoming permanent data recording points.
6.2 Step 1 – Description of process chain
Step in methodology
Step 1
approach
Description of process chain
PrevPreviiousous Pro Proccesesss CuCurrrrenentt Pr Proocescesss FFoollllowowiing Png Prrococeessss

Description What to do? Guidance
Illustration of the
process chain from the
beginning to the end
Previous Process Determine the inputs Determine and document all material flows of
and their origins
the input and determine the origin and source
according to Table 1 in CEN/TS 14961:2005.
Current Process Define and document
PPrrococessessiingng o off
the responsibilities
throughout the Current
ssaaww dus dustt
Process
NOTE The
PrPrelielimmiinarnaryy st stororagagee
responsibilities should be
in terms of position/role in
the organisation not a
named individual.
ReRemomovvaal ol off
cocontantammiinnantsants
DryDryiinngg
CChhiipppipingng
BBllendendiningg
PPeellelletizintizingg
CooCoolinlingg
PPaacckkaaggining, labeg, labelllliinng,g,
ststororagagee
Following Process Determine the outputs Determine and document all outputs from the
from the Current Current Process (raw material, intermediate
Process products and final products).
Supporting information for Step 1 – Description of process chain
The first step in the creation of a Fuel Quality Assurance system is to describe the production process. As this
description forms the basis of a more detailed assessment on where quality is/can be influenced, a sufficient
level of detail must be included. Hence, the description of the production process is critically important when
subsequently drafting a Quality Assurance system.
It is advisable to use a visual presentation (flow diagram) of all the process steps to be considered as shown
on the previous page.
It is important to gain the right balance between an overly detailed description, and one that does not fully
appreciate the significance of the data within the context of the Quality Assurance system.
When describing the process chain it may be helpful to split the structure into distinct actions or functions and
by reviewing the information in relation to the responsibilities within the supply chain.
For service or trading companies, it can also be helpful to use the existing company documents as a starting
point. Existing documents have been shown to be useful for identifying administrative tasks and often cover
issues that are also important to the company’s Quality Assurance.
NOTE Examples of documents for fuel specifications of pellets, olive cakes, wood chips, hog fuel and straw bales are
given in Annex B of CEN/TS 15234:2006.
6.3 Step 2 – Description of customers requirements
Step in
Step 2
methodology
approach
Description of customers requirements
IInnffoorrmmaattiion on IInnforformmaattiion on
eexchxchananggee exexchchananggee
PPrevreviiousous P Prroocceessss FoFolllloowwiingng P Prrocesocesss
CCuurrrrenent Pt Prroocceessss

Description What to do? Guidance
Information Determine the Product. Determine and document the product requirements
exchange requirements for referring to CEN/TS 14961 for the final solid biofuel:
Product and
Performance
Fuel parameter Relevance Requirements
to according to
Verify the Abilities
customers? CEN/TS 14961
of the Current
Process to achieve
Origin yes/no XY
the required product
and performance
Particle size distribution yes/no XY
requirements
(P)
Moisture content (M) yes/no XY
Ash content (A) yes/no XY
etc. yes/no XY
Quality declarations: Information required by the supplier should
be provided and transferred along the supply chain to be
incorporated in to the final Quality Declaration, see Annex C in
CEN/TS 15234:2006.
Performance. Determine the performance requirements, e.g.:
a) Information that should be documented;
b) Establish information required from the Previous Process to allow
the Current Process to perform it’s function appropriately;
c) Identify the detail of the information that should be documented,
including;
- production technology issues,
- sampling and test methods required,
- laboratory information, requirements for labelling, traceability
documents for the origin and source of the raw materials, and
- quality certificates,
Step 2 continued
Description What to do? Guidance
- timely data transfer to the Following Process ensures that
the correct information is available to continue the process
- ensure documents transferred are filled in appropriately
- provision of adequate storage, processing, transportation
and packaging to meet the conditions. The information
provided or requested should be sufficiently detailed to
enable the process to continue without stoppages.
NOTE Good practice should ensure that the Previous Process
understands the next process, with particular reference to the supply
chain requirements and delivers the information promptly. This
reduces the need for the Current Process having to request data
before they can continue.
Ability
Verify the Current Process’ potential to fulfil the Following
Processes product or service requirements (i.e. the expected
product quality or service that is necessary for the Following
Process to perform its function to the agreed performance).
Examine the relevant processes (machines and equipment),
resources (staff and their skills) and logistics, to meet the
Following Processes requirements.
Ensure that there are appropriate systems in place to prepare
and maintain the documents required to give traceability
across the solid biofuel supply chain.

Supporting information for Step 2 – Description of customers requirements
It is fundamental to the understanding of Quality Assurance that the Current Process is thought of as both a
customer to the Previous Process and a supplier to the Following Process (independent of whether the
process has single or multiple processes within it). The Following Process is then the next customer in the
supply chain (see Figure 2). Therefore, the customer is not always the end-user of the final product and the
product requirements may not necessarily be the requirements of a product specification, they may relate to
other specific issues that effect the Following Process requirements. It is therefore important to ensure that the
Following Processes (next operator) in the supply chain have all their requirements identified and provided by
the Previous Process to ensure they can fulfil their part of the process efficiently and effectively; see Clause 6.
If adequate technical specifications for the biofuel cannot be provided for the fuel, key properties of the final
product should be determined either by utilising the standards that specify which fuels can be used, or by the
fuel supplier’s knowledge of the end-user requirements, which can define such specifications. Such an indirect
approach is to be understood as a requirement of a Following Process or step.
The following issues have to be considered when determining the key fuel properties:
— use of the biofuel (i.e. requirements from the conversion unit);
— conformance of the fuel with an existing standard or other requirements;
— legal restraints and regulations concerning emissions limits and other environmental issues;
— possible impact on the fuel quality when mixing and blending different raw materials and raw material
qualities, along with potential for degradation of the fuel during transportation and storage.
The minimum requirements, specifications and tolerable deviations from these values have to be accurately
described for the raw materials or intermediate products delivered. The delivery batch has to be in accordance
with the delivery agreement, and recorded on the appropriate delivery documents. In principle the raw
materials, intermediate and final products can be classified in accordance with CEN/TS 14961.
All operators within the supply chain should:
— consider the effects of drawing on and using stocks of raw materials;
— assess the likely levels of compliance within CEN/TS 14961 of the materials that will be fed to their
plant, taking account of the likely variability of the relevant properties of the feedstock, and other factors
that may influence the process (including blending of the raw materials);
— take into consideration documentation and logistics requirements, since the properties of the fuel have
a great impact on the logistics of handling and storing of the fuel .
NOTE Examples of documents for fuel specifications of pellets, olive cakes, wood chips, hog fuel and straw bales are
given in Annex B of CEN/TS 15234:2006.
6.4 Step 3 – Analysis of quality influencing factors
Step in methodology
Step 3
approach
Analysis of quality influencing factors
Current Process
Quality factors
Quality factors
Previous Following
Quality factors
Process Process
Description What to do? Guidance
Product and Determine the Determine the relevant factors which affect the product quality
Performance factors influencing factors for and quality of performance, e.g.:
the quality required
a) The effectiveness of the preliminary inspection for the
required fuel sources;
b) The effectiveness of the checking for the incoming loads;
c) The appropriateness of the applied methods for handling,
storing and processing the materials;
d) The Quality Control measures adopted;
e) How effective the company manages and operationally
control the business and processes;
f) The qualifications and knowledge of the staff.
The influence of each process step in relation to the product
quality can be identified using the table structure below.
Consider for each step, whether the influence on the product
quality is significant or insignificant, by ticking the appropriate
boxes in the table. The steps mentioned in the table illustrate
the affect on different properties during the steps within the
chain considered. To have more understanding of the
influencing factors it may be appropriate to identify the actual
individual process steps and rate the influence on a scale of 1
to 5 (1 being most influential).
Fuel parameter Step 1: Step 2: Step X
influential? influential?
Yes/No Yes/No
Particle size distribution (P)
Moisture content (M)
Net calorific value (q)
p,net
Others
Supporting information for Step 3 – Analysis of quality influencing factors
a. The effectiveness of the preliminary inspection for the fuel sources. This is of importance to establish
the general suitability of the sources of solid biofuels. General evidence of suitability can be obtained from the
knowledge of the types of biofuel, or the composition of a blend of materials from different sources. However,
in most cases some properties must be checked by a programme of sampling and testing.
b. The effectiveness of the checking for the incoming loads. This ensures the loads are of the types
already identified as suitable, and that the delivery notes are in order. The check should also be supported
where necessary with sampling and testing procedures. The methods applied, their precision, in particular
sampling and sample reduction and the frequency with which the tests are carried out, are all of great
significance. The frequency of the tests can be greatly reduced if there is evidence of continuous compliance
to a specification and therefore no likely relevant changes.
c. The appropriateness of the applied methods for handling, storing and processing the material. The
buildings and equipment for solid biofuel production/processing have to be designed and implemented so that
the solid biofuel produced has the properties specified. Reference must be made to both the impact on the
technical quality of the fuel and the quality of performance of the operational unit. The conditions in which the
raw materials and final biofuels are processed and stored must be designed and operated in such a way as to
avoid or minimise adverse environmental impacts. Such factors might include: noise or air pollution, water
and/or land contamination arising from inadequate design and/or operation of the conversion plant, poor
control of storage areas, etc.
d. The Quality Control measures adopted. The frequency of testing should be managed to accomplish the
appropriate levels of control in the most efficient and cost effective way.
e. Company’s management and responsibilities. The responsibility for the biofuel within the supply chain is
transferred from one operator to the next operator by the mutual agreement (either through negotiation of the
contract or through agreed operational priorities). The management has thereby:
— to compile an organisational structure: Which function is responsible for which task;
— to analyse the customer requirements both for the product quality and quality of performance;
— to compile the quality objectives and product requirements to enable the operators to check for product
compliance. This could be achieved using exemplars and test pieces;
— to compile process instructions and work descriptions (where appropriate, either as written instructions
or in a diagrammatic form);
— to check if the required quality is reached, utilizing internal audits and random sampling of products,
processes and documentation;
— to check if the documents ensure the required traceability;
— to check if the legal regulations and standards are met.
f. The qualifications and knowledge of the staff. The staff need to understand the possible interactions
between the process steps and the quality of the fuel, environmental regulations and the relevant regulations
on occupational health and safety. The systematic training of staff is an effective way of ensuring th
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