Form Instructions to Parties Submitting 

Diesel Sulfur Accuracy and Precision

Information for Approval of Test Methods 

by Facility
Compliance Division

Office of Transportation and Air Quality

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

September 2014

(Minor Revisions September 24, 2014)

OMB Control Number: 2060-0308

Expiration Date: January 31, 2016

Form Instructions to Parties Submitting 

Diesel Sulfur Accuracy and Precision

Information for Approval of Test Methods 

by Facility

EPA-420-B-14-066a

September 2014
i 

Disclaimer

The discussion in this document is intended solely as guidance. The statutory 

provisions and EPA regulations described in this document contain legally binding 

requirements. This document is not a regulation itself, nor does it change or substitute 

for those provisions and regulations. Thus, it does not impose legally binding 

requirements on EPA, States, or the regulated community. This guidance does not 

confer legal rights or impose legal obligations upon any member of the public.

While EPA has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the discussion in this 

guidance, the obligations of the regulated community are determined by statutes, 

regulations, or other legally binding requirements. In the event of a conflict between the 

discussion in this document and any statute or regulation, this document would not be 

controlling.

The general description of the application process provided here may not apply to a 

particular situation. Interested parties are free to raise questions about the substance of 

this guidance and its applicability to a particular situation. EPA may adopt approaches 

on a case-by-case basis that differ from those described in this guidance.

Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or 

recommendation for their use.

This is a living document and may be revised periodically without public notice. EPA 

welcomes public input on this document at any time.
1

Introduction: On May, 2004, EPA promulgated new requirements for non-road diesel 

fuel. One of the provisions of this final rule, explained in Subpart I of 40 CFR Part 80, 

requires that each test facility must meet specified accuracy and precision criteria with 

their chosen test method for sulfur in on-road or non-road diesel fuel additives and/or 

diesel fuel. Evidence of having met these requirements must be submitted to and 

approved by the Agency before using the method to make measurements for 

demonstrating compliance. There are separate accuracy and precision criteria for 

diesel fuels and additives subject to the two sulfur standards --15 ppm and 500 ppm. 

Depending on your test facility situation, you may be required just to meet the 15 ppm 

diesel sulfur accuracy and precision criteria, you may choose to meet the 500 ppm 

diesel sulfur accuracy and precision criteria, or may be required to meet both of these 

accuracy and precision criteria. For diesel fuel at the 500 ppm sulfur level, if your test 

facility has chosen to use the designated test method, ASTM D 2622-03, or any of the 

following alternative test methods, ASTM D 4294-03, ASTM D 5453-03a, or ASTM D 

3120-03a with correlation to the designated test method, it is not necessary for your test 

facility to qualify these methods for precision or accuracy. 

40 CFR § 80.520(a)(1) explains the 15 ppm sulfur standard for motor vehicle diesel fuel 

and fuel additives. 40CFR § 80.510(b)(1)(i) and § 80.510(c) explains the 15 ppm sulfur 

standard for Non-road Locomotive Marine(NRLM) diesel fuel and fuel additives. 40 

CFR § 80.520(c) explains the 500 ppm sulfur standard for motor vehicle diesel fuel. 40 

CFR § 80.510(a) explains the 500 ppm sulfur standard for NRLM diesel fuel. 40 CFR § 

80.584 explains the actual accuracy and precision criteria for the applicable standards 

above. 40 CFR § 80.585 explains both the requirement that the criteria must be met on 

a facility-specific basis and a description of the process by which methods may be 

approved. The following guidance applies to any party applying to EPA for such 

approval of their test method at their testing facility. This guidance deals only with the 

approval of test methods at a testing facility for measuring sulfur in diesel fuel additives 

or sulfur in diesel fuel. 

The discussions of the applicable regulations in this document are not verbatim. The 

reader is encouraged to read and become familiar with the applicable regulations of 

Subpart I of 40 CFR Part 80. These instructions are intended to help a test facility 

qualify a method for the measurement of sulfur in diesel motor fuel or diesel motor fuel 

additives, as well as, to help facilitate the timely review and approval of each test 

facility’s method.

Applicable Dates: These requirements for method qualification under § 80.585 

become effective on December 27, 2004.

Note: Please see Part I for instructions on use of a spreadsheet template provided by 

the Agency for determining compliance with the accuracy and precision criteria of § 

80.584. We encourage parties to use this spreadsheet to structure their development of 

the information and data needed for a method qualification application and to submit it 
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to the Agency in order to expedite the review and approval process. Please see Part II 

for submission instructions.

Part I - Instructions for use of spreadsheet for evaluating method precision and 

accuracy.

I. Precision demonstration for motor vehicle diesel fuel and diesel fuel 

additives subject to the 15 ppm sulfur standard.

Precision Criteria, § 80.584(a)(1) - a standard deviation less than 0.72 ppm, computed 

from the results of a minimum of 20 repeat tests made over 20 days on samples taken 

from a single homogeneous commercially available diesel fuel with a sulfur content in 

the range of 5-15 ppm. The 20 results must be a series of tests with a sequential record 

of analyses and no omissions.1

A. In the workbook entitled “Sulfur Test Method Template”, locate the worksheet 

entitled, “15 ppm S Precision”. Enter data in the light shaded green areas of the 

worksheet. For an example of the “15 ppm S Precision” worksheet with data 

completely entered, please see the worksheet entitled, “EX - 15 ppm S 

Precision”. 

Notes: 

1. Test results must be reported in parts per million (ppm) to the number of 

significant digits specified in the method description or, if no such 

precision is indicated, to as many digits to the right of the decimal point as 

appear on the instrument readout up to three. 

2. The date and time of each test measurement must be reported.

3. Please include the laboratory test identification number for each test 

result. 

B. After entering the data into the light shaded green area of the “15 ppm S 

Precision” worksheet, go to the “File” menu at the top of the screen and select 

“Save” to save your data. Once all the data are entered into the “15 ppm S 

Precision” worksheet, the standard deviation of the data set (located in cell B18), 

and an indication as to whether the 15 ppm sulfur precision criterion are met will 

be determined by the worksheet. The indication of “PASSED” or “FAILED” is 

located in cell B17 in the worksheet, after the question, “Is 15 ppm Sulfur 

Precision Criterion Met?”. If the worksheet is missing required data, an indication 

of “REQUIRED DATA MISSING” will appear after this question. There is a QC 

data entry check for each test result in column E (i.e., if data is entered in a test 

result cell, an indication of “OK” will appear next to that cell, but if no data is 

entered in a test result cell, an indication of “DATA REQUIRED IN CELL #” will 

 

1 A laboratory may exclude a given sample or test result only if the exclusion is for a valid reason under 

good laboratory practices and it maintains records regarding the sample and test results and the reason 

for excluding them.
3

appear next to that cell). Note: If the applicant wishes to include more than the 

20 minimum tests, please report the additional data by adding rows to the 

spreadsheet.2

 

II. Accuracy demonstration for motor vehicle diesel fuel and diesel fuel 

additives subject to the 15 ppm sulfur standard.

Accuracy Criterion - 1. The arithmetic average of a continuous series of at least 10 

tests performed on a commercially available gravimetric 

sulfur standard (CAGSS) in the range of 1-10 ppm sulfur 

shall not differ from the accepted reference value of that 

standard by more than 0.54 ppm sulfur.3

2. The arithmetic average of a continuous series of at least 10 

tests performed on a CAGSS in the range of 10-20 ppm 

sulfur shall not differ from the accepted reference value of 

that standard by more than 0.54 ppm sulfur.4

A. Locate the worksheet entitled, “15 ppm S Accuracy”. Enter data in the light 

shaded green areas of the worksheet. For an example of the “15 ppm S 

Accuracy” worksheet with data completely entered, please see the worksheet 

entitled, “EX - 15 ppm S Accuracy”. 

Notes: 

1. Test results must be reported in parts per million (ppm) to the number of 

digits specified in the method description or, if no such precision is 

indicated, to as many digits to the right of the decimal point as appear on 

the instrument readout up to three.

2. It is recommended that the date and time of each test measurement be 

reported.

3. Please include the laboratory test identification number for each test 

result.

4. In the appropriate rows, enter the “Vendor Name of Gravimetric Standard”, 

“Lot Identification Number of Gravimetric Standard”, and “Accepted 

Reference Value of the Gravimetric Standard (ppm)” in parts per million 

for both the 1-10 ppm and 10-20 ppm sulfur gravimetric standards.

5. Since the Test Method and Laboratory Identification information for this

 

2 Additional rows may be inserted to accommodate the extra data points. If these rows are added in the 

middle (say around row 25), the equations that analyze the data will be automatically adjusted. If 

difficulties are encountered in doing this, please call for help.

3 Individual test results shall be compensated for any known chemical interferences.

4 Individual test results shall be compensated for any known chemical interferences.
4

demonstration are the same as the Test Method and Laboratory

Identification information in the “15 ppm S precision” worksheet, for your 

convenience, this information is automatically referenced from the “15 

ppm S Precision” worksheet. 

B. After entering the data into the light shaded green area of the worksheet as 

described above, go to the “File” menu at the top of the screen and select “Save” 

to save all of the entered data. Once all data are entered into the “15 ppm S 

Accuracy” worksheet, this worksheet will calculate the arithmetic average for both 

the 1-10 ppm sulfur data set (located in cell B20) and the 10-20 ppm sulfur data 

set (located in cell I20). This worksheet will also calculate the difference between 

the arithmetic average of the data set and the accepted reference value of each 

respective gravimetric standard (located in cell B24 for the 1-10 ppm accuracy 

demonstration & located in cell I24 for the 10-20 ppm accuracy demonstration). 

This worksheet will indicate whether the 15 ppm sulfur accuracy criteria are met 

for the candidate test method by saying “PASSED” or “FAILED” in the cell after 

the questions, “Is 1-10 ppm Sulfur Accuracy Criterion Met?” (located in cell B19) 

and “Is 10-20 ppm Sulfur Accuracy Criterion Met?” (located in cell I19). Both of 

these accuracy criteria must be met in order for the test method to be considered 

to have met the 15 ppm accuracy criteria. If the worksheet is missing required 

data, an indication of “REQUIRED DATA MISSING” will appear after the 

applicable question. There is a QC data entry check for each test result in 

column E and column L (i.e., if data is entered in a test result cell, an indication of 

“OK” will appear next to that cell, but if no data is entered in a test result cell, an 

indication of “DATA REQUIRED IN CELL #” will appear next to that cell). There 

is also a QC data entry check on the concentration of the gravimetric standard in 

cell E23 and cell L23 (i.e., for either the 1 to 10 ppm sulfur accuracy 

demonstration or 10 to 20 ppm sulfur accuracy demonstration, if the 

concentration of gravimetric standard falls within the applicable concentration 

range, an indication of “OK” will appear in the respective cell, if the concentration 

of the gravimetric standard falls below the applicable concentration range, an 

indication of “ARV TOO LOW IN CONCENTRATION” will appear in the 

respective cell, if the concentration of the gravimetric standard is above the 

applicable concentration range, an indication of “ARV TOO HIGH IN 

CONCENTRATION” will appear in the respective cell). Note: If the applicant 

wishes to include more than the 10 minimum tests, please report the additional 

data by inserting rows into the spreadsheet.5 

 

5 Additional rows may be inserted to accommodate the extra data points. If these rows are inserted in the 

middle of the range (say after row 30) the equations for the average and other functions will be 

automatically adjusted. Extra rows inserted for one of the two standard levels, while appearing in the 

range for the other standard level, will not affect the calculations for the level where no data were added.
5

III. Precision demonstration for motor vehicle diesel fuel subject to the 500 

ppm sulfur standard. 

 

Precision Criterion, § 80.584(a)(2) - a standard deviation less than 9.68 ppm, 

computed from the results of a minimum of 20 repeat tests made over 20 days on 

samples taken from a single homogeneous commercially available diesel fuel 

(SHCADF) with a sulfur content in the range of 200-500 ppm. The 20 results must be a 

series of tests with a sequential record of analyses and no omissions.6

A. Locate the worksheet entitled, “500 ppm S Precision”. Follow the instructions for 

Section I above, but enter the data for the 500ppm precision demonstration 

rather than that for the 15ppm demonstration. For an example of the “500 ppm S 

Precision” worksheet with data completely entered, please see the worksheet 

entitled, “EX - 500 ppm S Precision”. 

IV. Accuracy demonstration for motor vehicle diesel fuel subject to the 500 

ppm sulfur standard.

Accuracy Criterion - 1. The arithmetic average of a continuous series of at least 10 

tests performed on a commercially available gravimetric 

sulfur standard (CAGSS) in the range of 100-200 ppm sulfur 

shall not differ from the accepted reference value of that 

standard by more than 7.26 ppm sulfur.7

2. The arithmetic average of a continuous series of at least 10 

tests performed on a CAGSS in the range of 400-500 ppm 

sulfur shall not differ from the accepted reference value of 

that standard by more than 7.26 ppm sulfur.8

A. Locate the worksheet entitled, “500 ppm S Accuracy”. Follow the instructions for 

section II above, but enter the data for the 500ppm accuracy demonstration 

rather than that for the 15ppm demonstration. For an example of the “500 ppm S 

Accuracy” worksheet with data completely entered, please see the worksheet 

entitled, “EX - 500 ppm S Accuracy”. 

 

6 A laboratory may exclude a given sample or test result only if the exclusion is for a valid reason under 

good laboratory practices and it maintains records regarding the sample and test results and the reason 

for excluding them.

7 Individual test results shall be compensated for any known chemical interferences.

8 Individual test results shall be compensated for any known chemical interferences.
6

PART II - Instructions for submission of Accuracy and Precision data to Agency 

for Approval

I. For each test facility that wishes to have a test method approved, the 

following information must be submitted to the Agency for approval: 

A. 40 CFR 80.585(a). For methods that are approved by a voluntary consensusbased organization standards body (VCSB), such as the American Society for 

Testing and Materials (ASTM) or International Standards Organization (ISO), 

each individual test facility must submit the information for accuracy and 

precision criteria specified under § 80.584 (Please use instructions in Part I of 

this guidance). The approval of the test method is limited to the single test facility 

that performed the testing for accuracy and precision. The individual facility must 

submit the accuracy and precision results for each method, including information 

on the date and time of each test measurement to demonstrate precision, 

following procedures established by the Administrator. 

B. 40 CFR 80.585(b). For methods that are not approved by a VCSB, for such a 

method to be approved, the following information must be submitted to the 

Administrator by each test facility for each test method that it wishes to have 

approved: 

1. Full test method documentation, including a description of the technology 

and/or instrumentation that makes the method functional.

2. Information demonstrating that the test method meets the applicable 

accuracy and precision criteria of § 80.584, including information on the 

date and time of each test measurement to demonstrate precision (Please 

use instructions in Part I of this guidance).

3. If requested by EPA, test results from use of the test method to analyze 

samples of commercially available fuel provided by EPA.

4. Any additional information requested by the Administrator and considered 

necessary for deciding whether to approve the test method.

C. 40 CFR 80.585(c). Sample Retention. Samples used for precision and accuracy 

determination must be retained for 90 days.

D. Confidential Business Information Claim. You may claim the information you 

submit as confidential business information (CBI) by clearly marking your 

submission. Please be sure to indicate your CBI claim where asked on the 

spreadsheet and clearly indicate that your submission contains information 

claimed as CBI in your cover letter. If no such written claim is made, then the 

information you submit may be made available to the public by EPA without 

further notice. EPA’s regulations regarding CBI are at 40 CFR Part 2.

 

E. Please send one paper hard copy of your applicable information described above 

that includes a cover memo with your signature, along with a compact disk or 
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flash drive containing the accuracy and precision data in the spreadsheet 

described above by overnight mail or courier service to the address below. 

Joe Sopata, Chemist

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Transportation and Air Quality

Compliance Division

Fuels Compliance Center

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

William Jefferson Clinton Building - North 

6th Floor, Room 6510AA, Mail Code 6405A

Washington, D.C. 20004 

F. 40 CFR 585(d). EPA Approval. 

1. Within 90 days of receipt of all materials required to be submitted under 40 

CFR 80.585(a) or (b), the Administrator shall determine whether the test 

method is approved.

2. If the Administrator denies approval of the test method, within 90 days of 

receipt of all materials required to be submitted under 40 CFR 80.585(a) 

or (b), the Administrator will notify the applicant of the reasons for not 

approving the method. If the Administrator does not notify the applicant 

within 90 days of receipt of the application, that the test method is not 

approved, then the test method shall be deemed approved.

3. If the Administrator finds that and individual test facility has provided false 

or inaccurate information under 40 CFR 80.585, upon notice from the 

Administrator the approval shall be void ab initio. 

4. Non-VCSB test method/test facility approval shall be valid for five years 

from the date of approval by the Administrator and shall not be extended. 

If the method is later approved by a VCSB, the approval shall remain valid 

so long as the conditions of 40 CFR 80.585(a) are met.

G. 40 CFR 80.585(e). Quality Assurance procedures for sulfur measurement 

instrumentation. A test method shall not be considered a test using an approved 

test method unless the following quality control procedures are performed 

separately for each instrument to make measurements: 

1. Follow all mandatory provisions of ASTM D 6299-02 and construct control 

charts from the mandatory quality control testing prescribed in paragraph 

7.1 of the reference method, following guidelines under A 1.5.1 for 

individual observation charts and A 1.5.2 for moving range charts.9

 

9 The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of ASTM D 6299-02, 

Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance Techniques to Evaluate Analytical 
8

2. Follow paragraph 7.3.1 of ASTM D 6299-02 to check standards using a 

 reference material at least monthly or following any major change to the 

 laboratory equipment or test procedure. Any deviation from the accepted 

 reference value of a check standard greater than 1.44 ppm (for diesel fuel 

 subject to the 15 ppm sulfur standard) or 19.36 ppm (for diesel fuel subject 

 to the 500 ppm sulfur standard) must be investigated.

3. Samples of test batches must be retained for 30 days or the period equal 

 to the interval between quality control sample tests, whichever is longer.

4. Upon discovery of any quality control testing violation of paragraph A 

 1.5.1.3 or A 1.5.2.1 of ASTM D 6299-02, or any check standard deviation 

 greater than 1.44 ppm (for diesel fuel subject to the 15 ppm sulfur 

 standard) or 19.36 ppm (for diesel fuel subject to the 500 ppm sulfur 

 standard), conduct an investigation into the cause or such violation or 

 deviation and, after restoring method performance to statistical control, 

 retest retained samples from batches originally tested since the last 

 satisfactory quality control material or check standard testing occasion.

H. 40 CFR 80.586. Record retention requirements for approved test methods. 

Each individual test facility must retain records related to the establishment of 

accuracy and precision values, all test method documentation, and any quality 

control test and analysis under title 40 CFR sections 80.584 and 80.585 for five 

years.

EPA Contact:

Joe Sopata 

Ph# (202) 343-9034

Email: sopata.joe@epa.gov

 

Measurement System Performance, as prescribed in 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Anyone may 

purchase copies of this standard from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor 

Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428. Anyone may inspect copies at the U.S. EPA, Air and Radiation 

Docket and Information Center, 1301 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room B102, EPA West Building, 

Washington, D.C. 20460 or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 

on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030 or go to: 

http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
9

OMB Control No. 2060-0566

Approval expires: 1/31/2016

The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is 

estimated to average 180 hours per response. Send comments on the Agency’s need 

for this information, the accuracy of the providing burden estimates, and any 

suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of 

automated collection techniques to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, 

Washington, D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any correspondence. 

Do not send the completed form to this address.