Platts clarifies specifications reflected in its European diesel assessments

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, wishes to remind subscribers that it reflects the most recent relevant country specification in its European ultra low sulfur diesel assessments. This includes any amendments to national standards.

Platts understands that all member countries of the European Committee for Standardization are required to adopt the EN 590 standard for diesel as a basis for national specifications and each country is required to stipulate their own climatic requirements to accommodate different regional temperatures and subsequent impacts on finished-grade diesel inclusive of biofuel components.

In particular, Platts has observed changes to French diesel specifications allowing for a density range of 0.815-0.845 kg/liter for winter grade diesel, announced by Presidential decree Sept. 23, 2022, to take effect the following day. Summer grade diesel specifications remain unchanged and retain a narrower density range of 0.820-0.845 kg/l.

In the UK, Platts has observed that a similar amendment was made to reflect the same density requirements of 0.815-0.845 kg/l for winter grades, while maintaining the 0.820-0.845 kg/l range for summer grades. An additional requirement of a maximum cloud point of minus 5 degrees Celsius was also included for winter grade. The updated specifications for UK winter grade diesel were published under the authority of the British Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on Sept. 30, 2022, according to a document seen by S&P Global.

Platts assessments of ULSD reflect the following basis specifications:

Platts may publish bids, offers and trades for other merchantable grades of ULSD in its Market on Close assessment process and these may be subject to normalization. A reference density of 0.845 kg/l remains unaffected for all assessments.

Please send any feedback, questions or comments to Europe_Products@spglobal.com and PriceGroup@spglobal.com. For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available to the public upon request.