Q&A should be unsure about the quality of their product. As with any quality assurance program, change is a good thing as it involves continuous improvement. Since the original BQ-9000 program guidelines were written, change has occurred to redefine the process, clarify requirements, and respond to regulatory change and external requirements such as ASTM. Q: Could you explain the program differences for producers, marketers and laboratories? A: There is really very little change between the three program requirements. Remember, this is a program requirement so elements such as record keeping, training, and document control and management responsibility are similar. Operational elements and beyond are specific to the program being audited.
SKEPTICAL EYE: Bullard says if someone tries to sell “ASTM and BQ-9000-certified fuel,” be wary whether they understand the concept of quality assurance.
Q: While 80 percent of U.S. biodiesel volume is BQ-9000-certified, only 40 plants hold accreditation, meaning about 160 U.S. plants, mostly smaller producers, do not. Why do you think smaller producers are disinclined to pursue BQ-9000, and what efforts have the organization taken to reverse that trend? A: Customer demand is key in pushing an organization to seek BQ-9000 accreditation. Scale of operation makes it easier for larger operations to afford the resources to obtain accreditation. Smaller organizations are often on the edge of operational success; fiscal resources are not always available for BQ-9000 registration. That does not mean that they should or do not have a quality assurance program (often modeled on BQ-9000) in place. I as a biodiesel consumer do tend to ask about quality assurance and what’s going on. An answer like occasionally they visually check the fuel for “gickies” is not good enough. I want some program elements in place, something as simple as a quality manual, for instance. I may not have many options of my fuel source, but I do have the final say. The BQ-
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