Voluntary standards for biomass for fuels and chemicals

The endeavors of the 1986–88 International Energy Agency activity on ‘Voluntary Standards’ are discussed and summarized. The goal of the work is to facilitate the intercomparison of research and technology results from different laboratories and countries. Three major activities are underway: (1) the carrying out of selected interlaboratory comparisons in biochemical and thermochemical conversion and in feedstock analysis; (2) the establishment of standard reference materials from both woody and herbaceous species; and (3) the assembly of a ‘Sourcebook of Methods of Analysis for Biomass for Fuels and Chemicals’. Progress on these three elements is summarized and contacts given for those wishing to participate in this activity.