Quality Standards

The quality and appearance of pellets depend on the production technology. Wood pellets with high rind content usually are dark, pellets made of debarked wood are light. In the process of production – for instance while drying – pellets can “burn” a little and become grey, but it does not influence their consumer quality such as caloric value, ash content, solidity and abradability.

Different countries have different standards for pellet production:

• USA – Regulations & Standards for Pellets in the US: The PFI (pellet).
• Great Britain - The British BioGen Code of Practice for biofuel (pellets).
• Switzerland - SN 166000.
• Sweden - SS 187120.
• Austria - ONORM M 7135.
• Germany – standard DIN 51731 and DIN plus is applicable for fuel pellets.

Ukraine and Russia do not have a standard for pellets at present. Besides, there are no legal requirements as to obligatory certification of such products. Ukrainian and Russian producers usually cater for German DIN plus standard.

Starting 1 January 2010 new standards for pellets come into force in Europe. They will be confirmed by international EN plus certificate.