M/475 - Biomethane
Mandate to CEN for standards for biomethane for use in transport and injection in natural gas piplines
Mandate M/475 tasks CEN with developing standards for biomethane intended for use in transport and for injection into natural gas pipelines. These standards aim to ensure the quality, safety, and interoperability of biomethane within the existing gas infrastructure and transport sectors. The mandate supports the integration of biomethane as a renewable energy source, facilitating its market uptake and compliance with European energy and environmental policies. This initiative promotes harmonization across member states to enable consistent production, certification, and usage of biomethane in line with the objectives of sustainable energy transition.
Purpose
The mandate M/475 requests the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to develop standards related to biomethane. The focus is on biomethane's application in transport and its injection into natural gas pipelines. This aims to support harmonization and facilitate the market uptake of biomethane within the European Union.
Standardisation request
CEN is tasked with creating standards that cover the quality, safety, and interoperability of biomethane when used as a fuel for transportation and when injected into existing natural gas grid infrastructure. These standards should ensure compatibility with existing technologies and infrastructure, promoting seamless integration of biomethane.
Expected deliverables
- European standards defining the specifications and requirements for biomethane quality suitable for transport use.
- Standards for the injection of biomethane into natural gas pipelines, ensuring safety and network integrity.
- Guidelines covering testing methods and criteria for assessing biomethane.
- Documentation facilitating regulatory compliance and industry adoption.
Context
This mandate was approved under resolution CEN/BT 10/2011. It reflects the EU’s commitment to promote renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling the wider use of biomethane. Standardization is crucial for establishing market confidence, ensuring technical compatibility, and supporting policy objectives related to sustainable transport and energy systems within the EU.
The mandate covers the development of standards for biomethane intended for use in transport and for injection into natural gas pipelines. It focuses on ensuring quality and compatibility of biomethane within the natural gas infrastructure and transport sectors.
General Information
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/475 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Mandate to CEN for standards for biomethane for use in transport and injection in natural gas piplines". Mandate to CEN for standards for biomethane for use in transport and injection in natural gas piplines There are 26 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.