Changes to the Regulations Resulting from the Review

[ Last Updated 20 December 2005 ]

Status:Archived

15 May 2002

Schedule 1: Requirements for Regular Grade Petrol
Schedule 2: Requirements for Premium Grade Petrol
Schedule 3: Diesel Specifications
Schedule 4: General Specifications

→ Information Sheet on Petrol and Diesel Quality (15 May 2002) - questions and answers on the changes

Schedule 1: Requirements for Regular Grade Petrol

Property	Effective Date			Test Method
Property	From 1 September 2002	From 1 January 2004	From 1 January 2006	Test Method
Research Octane Number (RON)	91.0 minimum	91.0 minimum	91.0 minimum	ASTM D2699
Motor Octane Number (MON)	82.0 minimum	82.0 minimum	82.0 minimum	ASTM D2700
Colour	Not to be mistaken for water	Not to be mistaken for water	Not to be mistaken for water	Visual
Percentage volume evaporated at 70°C (E70)	22 minimum 48 maximum	22 minimum 48 maximum	22 minimum 48 maximum	ASTM D86
Percentage volume evaporated at 100°C (E100)	45 minimum 70 maximum	45 minimum 70 maximum	45 minimum 70 maximum	ASTM D86
Percentage volume evaporated at 180°C (E180)	90 minimum	Not applicable	Not applicable	ASTM D86
Percentage volume evaporated at 150°C (E150)	Not applicable	75 minimum	75 minimum	ASTM D86
End point (degrees Celsius)	220 maximum	215 maximum	210 maximum	ASTM D86
Residue (percentage volume)	2 maximum	2 maximum	2 maximum	ASTM D86
Flexible Volatility Index [VP (kPa) + (0.7 x E70)]	115.0 maximum	115.0 maximum	115.0 maximum	ASTM D86 and ASTM D5191
Vapour Pressure (kPa)¹ Summer: 1 December - 31 March; Autumn: 1 April - 31 May Winter: 1 June - 31 August; Spring: 1 September - 30 November	Maxima: 85 kPa summer 90 kPa autumn / spring 95 kPa winter Minimum: 45 kPa all year	Maxima: 75 kPa summer 85 kPa autumn / spring 95 kPa winter Minimum: 45 kPa all year	Maxima: Auckland and Northland: 65 kPa summer; 80 kPa autumn and spring; 90 kPa winter Rest of North Island: 70 kPa summer; 80 kPa autumn and spring; 90 kPa winter South Island: 75 kPa summer; 85 kPa autumn and spring; 95 kPa winter Minimum: 45 kPa all year	ASTM D5191
Copper strip corrosion (3 hours at 50°C)	Class 1 maximum	Class 1 maximum	Class 1 maximum	ASTM D130
Sulphur (milligrams per kilogram)²	350 maximum	350 maximum	150 maximum	IP 336 or ASTM D5453
Existent gum (solvent washed) (mg/100 ml)	5 maximum	5 maximum	5 maximum	ASTM D381
Oxidation stability induction period (minutes)	360 minimum	360 minimum	360 minimum	ASTM D525
Lead (milligrams per litre)	5 maximum	5 maximum	5 maximum	IP 224
Benzene (percentage volume)	4 maximum	3 maximum, if 20% maximum olefins or 1 maximum, if 25% maximum olefins	1 maximum	ASTM D5580
Total aromatic compounds (including Benzene) (percentage volume)	42 maximum pool average 45 maximum cap	42 maximum pool average 45 maximum cap	42 maximum pool average 45 maximum cap	ASTM D5580
Oxygenates (percentage volume)³	1 maximum for total oxygenates, with the exception of ethanol Ethanol: 10% by volume maximum	1 maximum for total oxygenates, with the exception of ethanol Ethanol: 10% by volume maximum	1 maximum for total oxygenates, with the exception of ethanol Ethanol: 10% by volume maximum	ASTM D4815
Olefins (percentage volume)	Not applicable	25 maximum, if 1% maximum benzene or 20 maximum, if 3% maximum benzene	18 maximum	ASTM D1319
Manganese (milligrams per litre)⁴	2.0 maximum	2.0 maximum	2.0 maximum	ASTM D3831
Phosphorus (milligrams per litre)	1.3 maximum	1.3 maximum	1.3 maximum	ASTM D3231

Schedule 2: Requirements for Premium Grade Petrol

Property	Effective Date			Test Method
Property	From 1 September 2002	From 1 January 2004	From 1 January 2006	Test Method
Research Octane Number (RON)	95.0 minimum	95.0 minimum	95.0 minimum	ASTM D2699
Motor Octane Number (MON)	85.0 minimum	85.0 minimum	85.0 minimum	ASTM D2700
Colour	Not to be mistaken for water	Not to be mistaken for water	Not to be mistaken for water	Visual
Percentage volume evaporated at 70°C (E70)	22 minimum 48 maximum	22 minimum 48 maximum	22 minimum 48 maximum	ASTM D86
Percentage volume evaporated at 100°C (E100)	45 minimum 70 maximum	45 minimum 70 maximum	45 minimum 70 maximum	ASTM D86
Percentage volume evaporated at 180°C (E180)	90 minimum	Not applicable	Not applicable	ASTM D86
Percentage volume evaporated at 150°C (E150)	Not applicable	75 minimum	75 minimum	ASTM D86
End point (degrees Celsius)	220 maximum	215 maximum	210 maximum	ASTM D86
Residue (percentage volume)	2 maximum	2 maximum	2 maximum	ASTM D86
Flexible Volatility Index [VP (kPa) + (0.7 x E70)]	115.0 maximum	115.0 maximum	115.0 maximum	ASTM D86 and ASTM D5191
Vapour Pressure (kPa)⁵ Summer: 1 December - 31 March; Autumn: 1 April - 31 May Winter: 1 June - 31 August; Spring: 1 September - 30 November	Maxima: 85 kPa summer 90 kPa autumn / spring 95 kPa winter Minimum: 45 kPa all year	Maxima: 75 kPa summer 85 kPa autumn / spring 95 kPa winter Minimum: 45 kPa all year	Maxima: Auckland and Northland: 65 kPa summer; 80 kPa autumn and spring; 90 kPa winter Rest of North Island: 70 kPa summer; 80 kPa autumn and spring; 90 kPa winter South Island: 75 kPa summer; 85 kPa autumn and spring; 95 kPa winter Minimum: 45 kPa all year	ASTM D5191
Copper strip corrosion (3 hours at 50°C)	Class 1 maximum	Class 1 maximum	Class 1 maximum	ASTM D130
Sulphur (milligrams per kilogram)⁶	150 maximum	150 maximum	150 maximum	IP 336 or ASTM D5453
Existent gum (solvent washed) (mg/100 ml)	5 maximum	5 maximum	5 maximum	ASTM D381
Oxidation stability induction period (minutes)	360 minimum	360 minimum	360 minimum	ASTM D525
Lead (milligrams per litre)	5 maximum	5 maximum	5 maximum	IP 224
Benzene (percentage volume)	4 maximum	3 maximum, if 20% maximum olefins or 1 maximum, if 25% maximum olefins	1 maximum	ASTM D5580
Total aromatic compounds (including Benzene) (percentage volume)	48 maximum	48 maximum	42 maximum pool average 45 maximum cap	ASTM D5580
Oxygenates (percentage volume)⁷	1 maximum for total oxygenates, with the exception of ethanol Ethanol: 10% by volume maximum	1 maximum for total oxygenates, with the exception of ethanol Ethanol: 10% by volume maximum	1 maximum for total oxygenates, with the exception of ethanol Ethanol: 10% by volume maximum	ASTM D4815
Olefins (percentage volume)	Not applicable	25 maximum, if 1% maximum benzene or 20 maximum, if 3% maximum benzene	18 maximum	ASTM D1319
Manganese (milligrams per litre)⁸	2.0 maximum	2.0 maximum	2.0 maximum	ASTM D3831
Phosphorus (milligrams per litre)	1.3 maximum	1.3 maximum	1.3 maximum	ASTM D3231

Schedule 3: Diesel Specifications

Property	From 1 September 2002	From 1 January 2004	From 1 January 2006	Test Method
Density at 15°C (kg per m³)	820 minimum 860 maximum	820 minimum 850 maximum (Effective 1 August 2004)	820 minimum 850 maximum	ASTM D1298
Distillation - 95% volume recovered to (degrees Celsius) (T95)	370 maximum	370 maximum	360 maximum	ASTM D86
Cetane	47 minimum cetane index or 47 minimum cetane number	49 minimum cetane index or 49 minimum cetane number and 47 minimum cetane index	51 minimum cetane index or 51 minimum cetane number and 47 minimum cetane index	Cetane number: ASTM D613 Cetane index: ASTM D976
Appearance at 15°C	Clear and bright or compliance with water content and particulates specifications below	Clear and bright or compliance with water content and particulates specifications below	Delete specification	ASTM D4176(B)
Water content (milligrams per kilogram)	200 maximum. Requirement waived if appearance specification is met.	200 maximum. Requirement waived if appearance specification is met.	200 maximum	ASTM D6304
Particulates (milligrams per litre)	24 maximum. Requirement waived if appearance specification is met.	24 maximum. Requirement waived if appearance specification is met.	24 maximum	ASTM D6217
Colour (ASTM colour)	3.0 maximum	3.0 maximum	3.0 maximum	ASTM D1500
Cloud Point (degrees Celsius) - Summer Cloud Point or Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) (degrees Celsius) - Winter⁹ Winter: 15 April - 14 October Summer: 15 October - 14 April	Winter: +2 maximum Cloud Point and -6 maximum Cold Filter Plugging Point Summer: +4 maximum Cloud Point	Winter: +2 maximum Cloud Point and -6 maximum Cold Filter Plugging Point Summer: +4 maximum Cloud Point	Winter: +2 maximum Cloud Point and -6 maximum Cold Filter Plugging Point Summer: +4 maximum Cloud Point	Cloud Point: ASTM D5773 Cold Filter Plugging Point: IP 309
Sulphur (milligrams per kilogram)¹⁰	1,000 maximum pool average and 1,400 maximum cap for Auckland and Northland; 2,200 maximum pool average and 3,000 maximum cap for rest of country	500 maximum pool average, 600 maximum cap Effective 1 August 2004	50 mg/kg) maximum	IP 336 or ASTM D5453
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (percentage mass)	Not applicable	Not applicable	11 maximum	IP 391
Filter Blocking Tendency	Fuel must be of acceptable filterability so that it is fit for common purpose	Fuel must be of acceptable filterability so that it is fit for common purpose	Fuel must be of acceptable filterability so that it is fit for common purpose	Indicative for monitoring purposes: IP 387 or ASTM D2068, 2.5 maximum, to be reviewed by 2006
Lubricity -- HFRR wear scar diameter at 60°C (µm)	460 maximum	460 maximum	460 maximum	IP 450
Viscosity (millimetres per second at 40°C)	1.5 minimum 4.5 maximum	1.5 minimum 4.5 maximum	2.0 minimum 4.5 maximum	ASTM D445
Oxidation Stability (g/m³)	25 maximum	25 maximum	25 maximum	ASTM D2274
Carbon residue (on 10% distillation residue) (percentage mass)	0.25 maximum	0.25 maximum	0.25 maximum	ASTM D4530
Copper strip corrosion (3 hours at 50°C)	Class 1 maximum	Class 1 maximum	Class 1 maximum	ASTM D130
Ash (percentage mass)	0.01 maximum	0.01 maximum	0.01 maximum	ASTM D482
Flash point (degrees Celsius)	61 minimum	61 minimum	61 minimum	ASTM D93

Schedule 4: General Specifications

Issue	Amendment
Fitness for Common Purpose	Add a general clause to the regulations requiring that all fuel be "fit for common purpose."
Dispenser Labelling	Add a requirement that petrol and diesel dispensers at service stations be labelled clearly, including, for petrol dispensers, clear labelling of the minimum research octane number. Dispensers for ethanol-blended petrol must have clear labelling regarding the presence of ethanol.
Boutique Grades of Petrol	Add a requirement that fuel advertised as having special properties must meet those special properties, as well as all other properties specified in the regulations.
Additives	Add a definition of additives as substances added to fuels in trace quantities in order to bring about specific benefits.

¹Petrol that complies with the previous season's quality and is stored in a filling station tank to which fewer than three deliveries of petrol have been made since six weeks before the beginning of the season will be regarded as complying with this specification.

²Indicative 50 ppm maximum sulphur content from 2008; Ultimate requirement for "sulphur-free" petrol of 10-15 ppm maximum sulphur content.

³The sale of ethanol-blended petrol must be accompanied by consumer information about the possible vehicle maintenance requirements that may result from using ethanol blends. Up to 11% volume MTBE allowed until 1 March 2003, as long as the total volume of all oxygenates does not exceed 11% by volume

⁴To be reviewed by 2006

⁵Petrol that complies with the previous season's quality and is stored in a filling station tank to which fewer than three deliveries of petrol have been made since six weeks before the beginning of the season will be regarded as complying with this specification.

⁶Indicative 50 ppm maximum sulphur content from 2008; Ultimate requirement for "sulphur-free" petrol of 10-15 ppm maximum sulphur content.

⁷The sale of ethanol-blended petrol must be accompanied by consumer information about the possible vehicle maintenance requirements that may result from using ethanol blends Up to 11% volume MTBE allowed until 1 March 2003, as long as the total volume of all oxygenates does not exceed 11% by volume

⁸To be reviewed by 2006.

⁹These are maximum criteria; cold flow properties of a fuel must be fit for common purpose in the region and the season in which it is sold. Diesel that complies with the previous season's quality and is stored in a filling station tank to which fewer than three deliveries of diesel have been made since six weeks before the beginning of the season will be regarded as complying with this specification. Sales for marine use may be summer grade at any time of the year.

¹⁰The limit for sulphur does not apply to sale for marine use. Diesel sulphur content to be reviewed by mid-2005; 10-15 ppm maximum sulphur content to be required no later than 2009-2010.

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Printed: 26/11/2009

Changes to the Regulations Resulting from the Review

Contents

Schedule 1: Requirements for Regular Grade Petrol

Schedule 2: Requirements for Premium Grade Petrol

Schedule 3: Diesel Specifications

Schedule 4: General Specifications