The European Fuel Oxygenates Association (EFOA)
Who we are
EFOA covers fuel ethers, included in the environmental specification for clean fuels. Fuel ethers, such as MTBE (methyl-tert-butyl-ether), ETBE (ethyl-tert-butyl-ether) and TAME (tert-amyl-methyl-ether), help improve air quality while at the same time maintaining the high performance of gasoline. EFOA aims to establish itself as a long-term and useful resource in the wide ranging discussion about (clean) fuel components and their environmental impact, especially water and air quality issues.
EFOA is chaired by Palmer Giddings, LyondellBasell Industries. The following companies belong to EFOA: Ecofuel, Neste Oil, Hellenic Petroleum, LyondellBasell Industries, Oxeno Olefinchemie, Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen, Repsol YPF, Sabic Europe, Saras and Total.
What we do
EFOA, the association of European fuel oxygenates producers, is dedicated to the responsible usage and the promotion of chemical ether fuel oxygenates as components of gasoline.
EFOA supports and disseminates state-of-the art scientific research on the benefits and impact of ethers on health and the environment.
EFOA believes in the application of sound scientific principles and actively promotes constructive co-operation with all stakeholders: regulators, legislators, industry, NGOs etc.
The EU Risk Assessment of MTBE was published end of November 2001. After considering all the numerous scientific studies on MTBE, the EU Rapporteur concluded that exposure to this product was not expected to have any harmful impact on human health, the atmosphere or the environment. The industry is satisfied that the Risk Assessment reconfirms that MTBE has a key role to play in permitting Europe to achieve better air quality.
The EU is aiming to finalise the ETBE risk assessment in Q2 2006. So far the EU considers ETBE as equivalent to MTBE as regards its risk assessment and associated risk reduction measures. This is a first for the EU, in that they have effectively agreed to read across risk assessments for structurally similar substances (an approach that is being promoted for substances under REACH.
EFOA activities include, among other things:
- Make the advantages of fuel ethers known to users and producers of petrol as well as car manufacturers and international authorities
- The regular update of the MTBE Resource Guide - a comprehensive guide to the safe handling of MTBE and gasoline (available on the EFOA website).
- Involvement in research projects in co-operation with Concawe
- Address environmental issues relating to oxygenated fuels.
- Establish EFOA's position in the revision of Directive 98/70/EC and 2003/17/EC on EU Fuel Specifications and position ETBE as the biofuel of choice thanks to its ability to allow 7% ethanol to be blended into petrol within the current specifications.
- Development and launch of the Fuel Ether REACH Consortium
- Involvement in the development of a code of best practice for the transportation of MTBE/ETBE over inland waterways. English, German and Dutch versions available.
Want to know more?
EFOA has developed an Internet website - www.efoa.org - addressing questions from the industry's stakeholders, including the general public. Should you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.
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