An amendment regulation was gazetted in Hong Kong on Friday to ensure that motor vehicle biodiesel will meet the necessary standards.

Biodiesel is a form of renewable energy. It can be used to power motor vehicles in pure form or in blends with motor vehicle diesel.

The Air Pollution Control (Motor Vehicle Fuel) (Amendment) Regulation 2009 will be tabled at the Legislative Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Nov. 25. Subject to its approval, the regulation will take effect next Jul. 1.

The Environmental Protection Department of HKSAR said it was common practice to require motor vehicle biodiesel to follow international standards. This can boost consumer confidence and prevent excessive exhaust emissions due to poor biodiesel quality.

The regulation mandates the specification of biodiesel for use as motor vehicle fuel. Labels should also be posted at selling points if the biodiesel content exceeds 5 percent.

The department said manufacturers generally accept the use of motor vehicle diesel containing up to 5 percent biodiesel in power vehicles, but a higher content can cause incompatibility problems. The labelling requirement, also being practiced in the European Union and the United States, is to alert drivers to the potential incompatibility problem.

The wider use of biodiesel instead of non-renewable fossil diesel will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and hinder global climate change, the department said.