SZNS  017:2012  
 
ICS 75.160.20                                             Edition 1        
 
 
 
 
 
 
ESWATINI NATIONAL STANDARD  
 
 
 
             Automotive diesel fuel  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Published by: Eswatini Standards Authori ty 
Marble Construction Building, Plot 247  11th Street King Mswati III Avenue West  
P. O. Box 1399, Matsapha, Kingdom of Eswatini  
Telephone: +268 2518 4633, Facsimile: +268 2518 4526  
Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
E-mail: info@swasa.co.sz   
©Eswatini Standards Authority 201 2   
           
COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
SZNS 017:2012  
Edition 1  
ii  © SWASA 2012  – All rights reserved  
 This Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA) document is a n Eswatini National Standard and is 
copyright -protected by  SWASA. Neither this SWAS A document  nor any extract from it may be 
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, 
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Website: www.swasa.co.sz  
Reproduction may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement.  
Violators may be prosecuted.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table  of changes          SZNS 017:2012  
          Edition 1  
 
 
© SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   iii 
 Clause  Date  Change  
6.1 2011  Change: Table 1 -Requirements for automotive diesel fuel prescribed in 
regulations (see foreword)  
To read: Table 1 -Requirements for automotive diesel fuel  
6.2.2  2011   Add “e) material safety data sheet (MSDS)”.  
Annex C  2011    SANS 9001 replaced with “SZNS ISO 9001”   
 
NATIONAL FOREWORD  
This Eswatini National Standar d was prepared by Technical committee SWASA/TC 23 Petroleum 
products and lubricants  in accordance with procedures of the Eswatini Standards Authority, in 
compliance with Annex 3 of the WTO/TBT Agreement. This Eswatini National Standard is a 
modified impleme ntation of SANS 342:2006, Edition 4 .  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 017:2012  
Edition 1  
iv  © SWASA 2012  – All rights reserved  
 Contents                                                                                                                                             Page 
1 Scope…………………………………………………………………………………… .……… …… 1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
3 Definitions ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  2 
4 Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 3 
4.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  3 
4.2 Biodies el blending  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  3 
4.3 Storage stability  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  3 
5 Inspection and methods of test  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  3 
5.1 Inspection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
5.2 Methods of test  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  4 
6 Packing and marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  4 
6.1 Packing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  4 
6.2 Marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  6 
Annex A  (normative) Notes to purchasers   ................................ ................................ ............................  7 
Annex B  (normative) Sampling and compliance with this standard  ................................ ......................  8 
Annex C  (informative) Quality verification of automotive diesel fuel  ................................ ..................  9 
Bibliograph y………………………………………………………………………………………… .10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         SZNS 017:2012  
          Edition 1  
 
 
© SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   1 
 Automotive diesel fuel                  
1 Scope  
This standard specifies two grades of automotive diesel fuel (low sulphur grade   and   standard grade) 
suitable  for use in compression -ignition engines, including high -speed engines .  
 NOTE   Som e of the requirements contained in this standard are identical to those prescribed by regulations 
(see foreword) for fuel quality.   
2 Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.  All 
norm ative documents are subject to revision and, since any reference to a normative document is 
deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that document, parties to agreements based on this 
document are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the most recent editions of the normative 
documents indicated below. Information on currently valid national and international standards may 
be obtained from the Eswatini Standards Authority ( SWASA ).  
ASTM D86, Standard test method for distillation of petroleu m products at atmospheric pressure   
ASTM D93, Standard test methods for flash -point by Pensky -Martens closed cup tester.  
ASTM D 95, Standard test method for water in petroleum products and bituminous materials by 
distillation.  
ASTM D130, Standard test me thod for corrosiveness to copper from petroleum products by copper 
strip test.   
ASTM D445, Standard test method for kinematic viscosity of transparent and opaque liquids (and tile 
calculation of dynamic viscosity)   
ASTM D482, Standard test method for ash f rom petroleum products.   
ASTM D524, Standard test method for Ramsbottom carbon residue of petroleum products   
ASTM D613, Standard test method for Cetane Number of diesel fuel oil.   
ASTM D976, Standard test methods for calculated cetane index of distillate fuels.   
ASTM D2274, Standard test method for oxidation stability of distillate fuel oil (accelerated method).  
ASTM D2622, Standard test method for sulfur in petroleum products by wavelength dispersive X - ray 
fluorescence spectrometry.   
ASTM D4052 , Standar d test method for density and relative density of liquids by digital density 
meter.  
ASTM D4057 , Standard practice for manual sampling of petroleum and petroleum products .  
ASTM D4177 , Standard practice for automatic sampling of petroleum and petroleum pro ducts   
ASTM D4294 , Standard test method for sulfur in petroleum and petroleum products by energy - 
dispersive x -ray fluorescence spectrometry   
ASTM D4377 , Standard test method for water in crude oils by potentiometric Karl Fischer titration.   
ASTM D4737 , Standard test method for calculated Cetane Index by four variable equation.   
ASTM D5453 , Standard test method for determination of total sulfur in light hydrocarbons, motor 
fuels and oils by ultraviolet fluorescence .  SZNS 017:2012  
Edition 1  
2  © SWASA 2012  – All rights reserved  
 ASTM D6304 , Standard test method for det ermination of water in petroleum products, lubricating 
oils, and additives by coloumetric Karl Fischer titration .  
CEC F -A-96, Measurement of Diesel Fuel Lubricity (HFRR fuel lubricity tester)   
EN 12662 , Liquid petroleum products - Determination of contami nation in middle distillates .  
IP 4, Petroleum products - Determination of ash.   
IP 14 , Petroleum products - Determination of carbon residue - Ramsbottom method.  
IP 34 , Determinations of flash point - Pensky -Martens closed cup method .  
IP 41 , Petroleum pr oducts - Determination of tile ignition quality of diesel fuels - Cetane engine 
method.   
IP 71 , Section 1:  Petroleum products - Transparent and opaque liquids - Determination of kinematic 
viscosity and calculation of dynamic viscosity  
IP 71 , Section 2: P etroleum products - Glass capillary kinematic viscometers - Specifications and 
operating instructions.   
IP 74, Petroleum products and bituminous materials - Determination of water - Distillation method.  
IP 123 , Petroleum products - Determination of distil lation characteristics at atmospheric pressure   
IP 154 , Corrosiveness to copper - Copper strip method.  
IP 160 , Crude petroleum and liquid petroleum products - Laboratory determination of density - 
Hydrometer method.  
IP 309 , Diesel and domestic cheating f uels - Determination of cold filter plugging point.  
IP  336 ,  Petroleum  products  - Determination  of  sulfur  content  - Energy -dispersive  X -ray 
fluorescence method.  
IP 356 , Crude petroleum - Determination of water - Potentiometric Karl Fischer titrati on method.  
IP 365 , Crude petroleum and petroleum products - Determination of density - Oscillating U -tube 
method.  
IP 388 , Petroleum products - Determination of the oxidation stability of middle -distillate fuels.  
IP 440 , Liquid petroleum products - Determ ination of contamination in middle distillates.   
ISO 3675 , Crude petroleum and liquid petroleum products - Laboratory determination of density or 
relative density - Hydrometer metl1od.   
ISO 12156 -1, Diesel fuel - Assessment of lubricity using tile high -frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR) 
- Part 1. Test met11od.  
ISO 12937 , Petroleum products - Determination of water - Coloumetric Karl Fischer titration 
method.   
SANS 1518 , Transport of dangerous goods - Design requirements for road vehicles and portable   
tanks.  
SANS 1935 , Automotive biodiesel fuel.   
SANS 10229 -1, Transport of dangerous goods - Packaging and large packaging for road and rail 
transport - Part 1. Packaging.  
SANS 10232 -1 (SASS 0232 -1), Transport of dangerous goods - Emergency information systems  - 
Part 1. Emergency information system for road transport.  
SANS 10233 (SASS 0233),  Transportation of dangerous goods  - Intermediate bulk containers.          SZNS 017:2012  
          Edition 1  
 
 
© SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   3 
 3 Definitions   
For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply .  
3.1 accep table   
acceptable  to the authority administering this standard, or to the parties concluding the purchase 
contract, as relevant  
3.2 additive  
compound added  to diesel fuel to improve either the performance of the diesel fuel or  its storage 
stability or both  
3.3  
ASTM method   
test method   published by the ASTM  (American Society  for Testing  and  Materials)  International, 
100 Barr    Harbor   Drive,   PO    Box   C700,   West    Conshohocken,   PA,   19428 -2959   USA 
<http //www.astm.org>  
3.4  
CEC method  
test m ethod published by the CEC (Co -ordinating European Council), <http://www.cectests org>  
3.5  
IP method test method published by  the Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish Street, London W1G  
7AR, UK. <http //www.energyinstorg.uk>  
4 Requirements   
4.1 General   
4.1.1 The fuel shall be of either standard grade or low sulphur grade.  
4.1.2  Both fuel grades shall be hydrocarbon distillate fuels to which additives could have been added 
to improve their performance or their storage stability characteristics (or both).  
4.1.3  The fuel shall comply with the relevant requi rements given in Table 1 and Table  2, and shall be 
clear and free from visible water, sediment, suspended matter and any other contaminant that can 
cause malfunctioning of equipment designed to use this t ype of fuel.  
4.2 Biodiesel  blending   
Where the fuel is blended with biodiesel, the biodiesel shall not be more than 5 %volume fraction of 
the total blend (see Table  1). The biodiesel used in such blends shall comply with SANS 1935.  
4.3 Storage stability   
After storage under conventional storage conditions for a period of 12 months after date of receipt, 
both fuel grades shall still comply with the requirements given in Table  1 and Table  2. When both fuel 
grades are to be stored for longer periods, the sta bility over a period exceeding 12 months shall be as 
agreed upon ( see Annex A).  
5 Inspection and methods of test  
5.1 Inspection   
Inspect   the  containers  taken  in  accordance with   8.1.3  for  compliance  with  all  the  relevant 
requirements of  the   standard  for  which tests  to  assess  compliance are not given  in  column 2 of 
Table  1 and in column 2 of Table  2.  SZNS 017:2012  
Edition 1  
4  © SWASA 2012  – All rights reserved  
 5.2 Methods of test   
5.2.1 For all properties, use the applicable method (or, when relevant, one of the applicable methods) 
listed in c olumn 3 of Table  1 and in column 3 of Table  2. Unless otherwise specified in the test 
method concerned, all samples for test shall be taken in accordance with 8.1.3.  
5.2.2 In the case of dispute regarding the determination of diesel's sulphur content requ irement, 
ASTM D5453 shall be used as the referee test method.  
6 Packing  and marking   
6.1 Packing   
The condition of drums, intermediate bulk containers and road tank vehicles shall be such as not to be 
detrimental to the quality of the fuel during normal t ransportation and storage and shall comply with 
the relevant requirements of the following standards:  
a) SANS 10229 -1, in the case of drums;  
b) SANS 10233, in the case of intermediate bulk containers; and   
c) SANS 1518, in the case of road tank vehicles.  
  
            Table  1 -Requirements for automotive diesel fuel  
1 2 3 
Property  Requirement Test method  
Sulphur content for:  
a) Standard grade, 
mg/kg, max .  
  
  
b) Low sulphur grade, 
mg/kg, max .    
500 
  
  
 
50   
ASTM D2622 or  
ASTMD5453  
IP336 , ASTM D4294  
ASTM D2622  or ASTM   
D5453IP336   
Biodiesel content, % volume fraction, 
max.  5 See 4 .2  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
         SZNS 017:2012  
          Edition 1  
 
 
© SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   5 
 Table  2 - Other requirements for automotive diesel fuel  
 
1 2 3 
Property  Requir
ement  Test method  
Distillation temperature for 90 % volume 
fraction recovery, ◦C max   362  ASTM D86 or IP 123  
Flash point. ◦ C.min.   55  ASTM D93 or IP 34  
Cetane Numbera, min.  45  ASTM D613 or IP 41  
Copper strip corrosion (3 h at 100 ◦C), 
classification, max.  1  ASTM D130 or IP154  
Cold filter plugging point (CFPP)b,  ◦C, max.  
1) Summer ◦C, max.   
 2) Winter ◦ C, max.     
  3  
-4  IP 309  
Carbon residue on 10% volume fraction 
distillation residue, % Mass fraction, maxes.   0,2  ASTM D524 or IP 14  
Ash content, % mass fraction, max.   0,01  ASTM D482 or IP 4  
Water content, % volum e fraction, max  0,05  ASTM D95 or ASTM D4377 or IP 74 or ISO 12937 or 
ASTM D6304 or IP 356  
Total contamination, mg/kg, max  50c  
 24d  EN 12662 or IP 440  
Lubricity, corrected wear scar diameter (wsd 
1,4) at 60 ˚C  460  ISO 12156 -1, CEC -F06-A-96  
Viscosity at 40  ˚C, mm2 /s  2,2 to 
5,3  ASTM D445 or IP 71  
Density at 20 ˚C, kg/L, min.  0,8000  ASTM D4052 or IP 160 or IP 365 or ISO 3675  
Oxidation stability, mg/100mL, max  2,0  ASTM D2274 or IP 388  
 a     Provided a proven correlation between Cetane Number and Cetane Index (ASTM D976 or ASTM D4737) has  
been established (for the crude being refined), the Cetane Number specification may be replaced by a Cetane 
Index specification with a minimum value of 48. The basic is that the product shall have a mi nimum Cetane 
Number of 45. The reference method shall be ASTM D613 or IP 41.  
 b      Summer = 1 October to March (inclusive)   Winter = 1 April to 30 September (inclusive).  
 c     Total contamination for ex -nozzle diesel shall not exceed 50 mg/kg and tha t ex-refinery shall not exceed 24 
mg/kg.  
 d     The 24 mg/kg total contaminant requirement limit for ex -nozzle diesel shall be applicable from 01 November 
2007.  
NOTE In case of a product sold in colder areas (as defined by historic metrological data), a dditional CFPP improver should 
be included with the intention to achieve -7◦ C or better.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 017:2012  
Edition 1  
6  © SWASA 2012  – All rights reserved  
 6.2 Marking  
6.2.1 The information on each drum shall be in accordance with SANS 10229 -1;  
a) intermediate bulk container shall be in accordance with SANS 10233; and  
b) road tank vehicle shall be in accordance with SANS 10232 -1.  
6.2.2 For the labelling, placarding and preparation of shipping documents for fuel that complies with 
the requirements of this standard, the following shall apply:  
a) the hazard -class diamond, as for class 3 dangerous goods;  
b) the proper shipping name: "DIESEL FU EL";  
c) the substance identification number (S.I.N.): 1202;   
d) other information including the supplier's brand name or trade mark , the name of the fuel 
grade  (standard or low sulphur), the description "DIESEL FUEL" and the quantity; and   
e) material safety dat a sheet (MSDS).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         SZNS 017:2012  
          Edition 1  
 
 
© SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   7 
 Annex A  
(normative) 
Notes to purchasers  
The following requirement shall be agreed upon between t he supplier and the purchaser:  
When the diesel fuel is to be stored for a period exceeding 12 months, any add itional requirements for 
storage stability (see 4.3)  is to be supplied .  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 017:2012  
Edition 1  
8  © SWASA 2012  – All rights reserved  
 Annex B  
(normative)  
Sampling and compliance with this standard  
 8.1   Sampling   
 8.1.1 General  
 The sampling procedure given in 8.1.3 sh all be applied in determining whether a lot complies with 
the relevant requirements of this standard. The samples so drawn shall be deemed to represent the lot.  
 8.1.2 Definitions  
 8.1.2.1   
defective   
a  test  sample  of  diesel fuel that  fails  in one  or  more  respects  to  comply  with  the  relevant  
requirements of this standard  
8.1.2.2  
 lot  
that  quantity  of  diesel fuel  in containers  bearing  the  same  brand  name or trade mark, grade 
designation and batch identification, from one  manufac turer, and submitted at any  one time  for 
inspection and testing  
8.1.3 Samples for inspection and testing   
After checking  for compliance with the relevant  requirements  of 5.1, use the relevant  sampling 
procedure  described  in method  ASTM 04057  or ASTM 04177,  as appropriate, to  obtain the 
samples  for  testing, and  deem  the  samples  so taken  to represent  the  lot for  the  respective 
properties  
8.2 Compliance with this standard   
Deem the lot to comply with the relevant requirements of this standard if, on inspection of the 
containers or tankers in the lot and on testing of the samples taken in accordance with 8.1.3, no 
defective is found.  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          SZNS 017:2012  
          Edition 1  
 
 
© SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   9 
 Annex  C 
(informative)  
Quality verification of automotive diesel fuel  
 When a purchaser requires ongoing verification of the quality of diesel fuel, it is suggested that, 
instead of concentrating solely on evaluation of the final product, he also direct his atte ntion to the 
manufacturer's quality system. In this connection it should be noted that SZNS ISO 9001 covers the 
provision of an integrated quality system.  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SZNS 017:2012  
Edition 1  
10  © SWASA 2012  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
  SZNS ISO 9001: 2008, Quality management systems –Requirements .  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         SZNS 017:2012  
          Edition 1  
 
 
© SWASA 2012 – All rights reserved   11 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ICS 75.160.20  
Price based on 10 pages.