Harmonisation of international standards for Natural Gas for Vehicle
The lack of harmonisation seriously checks the development of various industries, particularly those ones concerned about CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles.
In January 2007, International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) organized a round table in Geneva. It gathered representative people from governments, international organisations and Industry around this matter and their discussions resulted in a report of the various actions that are to be undertaken. Since that time, ISO and UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) has been working actively together towards harmonisation of international standards. IANGV has been working to promote standards harmonisation in this sector for many years and today, its role is to ensure that there is a global perspective for the on-going works.
In a web paper on November the 11th, 2008, Dr G. Harris (Secretary General IANGV) and Dr J. Seisler (Clean Biofuels Consulting) stated that « significant progress has been made » as regards international standards harmonisation related to Natural Gas for Vehicle industries.
Concerning NGV, the lack of standards related to equipment is all the more of crucial importance, because there are many differences between UNECE regulation (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) and ISO standards (International Organisation for Standardisation). This lack of harmonisation between European and international standards checks the development of gas vehicle sector.
After two years of preparation, ISO organised a Round Table and invited various stakeholders of the NGV sector (international organisations, government representatives, main NGV industrialists…) to look into the matter and to propose solutions. Their in-depth discussions led to a report that set up priorities and actions. The aim was to bring about harmonisation of various standards related to NGV equipment.
In turn, ISO set up a working program meant for the appropriate technical committees. Today, a number of standards related to various scopes are being studied: LNG (Liquified Natural Gas), dual fuel engines (diesel / natural gas), natural gas / hydrogen mixtures, pressure units and temperature references for filling CNG cylinders, vehicle safety and fuel quality, refueling stations, cylinders, biofuel quality safety …
G. Harris and J. Seisler state that « unfortunately, there are a large number of discrepancies between United Nations regulations and the corresponding ISO standards ». So, this is the key point of the international harmonisation process. It was agreed that UNECE and ISO could coordinate their work by regular exchanges about the advance of their issues, in order to make the harmonisation process easier.
IANGV, will continue to support this action as it is becoming a « Category A » liaison organisation, which is a key position for this project. All the international organisations for standardisation are based in Europe (in Geneva). IANGV, by its international nature, will facilitate the necessary exchange of information between Technical Committees of ISO and the very active NGV countries outside of Europe.
According G. Harris and J. Seisler «it can be expected that the “NGV industry will start to see the results and benefits in the very near future ».
To learn more: http://www.ngvglobal.com
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