• No events scheduled.

• To promote the commercial success and public acceptance of biodiesel.
• To help assure that biodiesel fuel is produced to and maintained at the industry standard, ASTM D6751.
  

Certification under the Program is open to all companies actively producing, distributing or marketing, or planning to produce, distribute or market, biodiesel fuel either in its neat form or for use in blending with a petroleum diesel fuel (or similar fuel). Certification is held for a period of three years, at which time a company would need to undergo a recertification audit for another three year certification term.

Certification is awarded following a successful formal review and audit of the capacity and commitment of the applicant to produce or market biodiesel fuel (i.e. the fuel MUST meet the ASTM D6751 specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Middle Distillate Fuels). The certification process is comprehensive and includes a detailed review of the applicant’s Quality System documentation, followed by a formal audit of the applicant’s conformance to its System.

An entity engaged in the business of the distribution and sale of biodiesel and/or biodiesel blends of B2 or greater.

A laboratory engaged in the testing of biodiesel and biodiesel blends.

  *Plus auditor travel expenses
 For more detailed costs visit the Program Costs Page

Certification Audit
The certification audit includes a desk audit to verify written compliance with BQ-9000 criteria and an on-site registration audit1 to verify compliance by auditor review of certain objective evidence.  The scope will be limited to the processes and procedures of the Quality Program, which are relevant to the requirements of BQ-9000 and to the production or marketing of biodiesel.  The auditor will issue an audit report to the applicant and the Commission.  Any findings of noncompliance reported by the auditor must be addressed by the applicant, through corrective actions, within 30 days.  Verifying corrective action may require a follow-up visit by the auditor.2
The essential elements of the audit include:

1. Managerial review of the Quality Program and its documentation.
2. Verification of certificates and calibrations, where appropriate.
3. Interviews with staff members who are involved in the administration and execution of the Quality Program.
4. Evaluation of system adherence and record maintenance.

The auditor will produce a written audit report, noting any deficiencies and areas of concern.  The report will be submitted to the applicant at the close of the audit for the applicant’s review and comment.  The applicant shall then have 30 days to correct any cited non-compliances.  When the auditor has verified that all non-compliances have been closed through corrective action, an audit report will be submitted to the NBAC. The Commission shall issue the appropriate certifications to those applicants with audit reports indicating that cited noncompliance issues have been corrected.

Certification Audits of Companies with Multiple Facilities
In order to verify that the quality management system has been implemented at all locations, on-site audits of a representative number of outlets or locations are necessary.  The auditors will determine which locations will be audited.  The audit schedule is as follows:

a.BQ-9000 Producers with multiple production locations. 
   Each production facility will be subject to an on-site audit.
b.BQ-9000 Marketers with multiple distribution locations.

c. BQ-9000 Labs with multiple testing locations.
    Each testing facility will be subject to an on-site audit.

Surveillance Audit
The surveillance audit is a partial on-site audit repeated annually to verify the accredited company’s continued compliance with the requirements of BQ-9000 including changes in the Program Requirements since the last audit. A surveillance audit may be conducted more frequently if required to satisfy an audit noncompliance or the alleged production/transport/sale of biodiesel which does NOT meet ASTM D6751.

a.BQ-9000 Producers with multiple production locations. 
   Each production facility will be subject to an on-site audit.
b.BQ-9000 Marketers with multiple distribution locations.

It is desirable that the locations chosen in the surveillance audit be different from the locations previously audited in past certification and surveillance audits.

c. BQ-9000 Labs with multiple testing locations.
    Each testing facility will be subject to an on-site audit.

Recertification Audit
The recertification audit is a partial on-site audit occurring when the company is seeking to reapply for an additional 3-year certification period.

1. On-site registration audits involve an independent auditor spending approximately 1.5 days at the applicant’s facility meeting with management, reviewing procedures and records and observing the quality system at work.
2. If a follow up site visit is required for verification of corrective actions, the applicant will be charged an additional $1,000 plus auditor travel expenses.