For both the professional in the sector and the end user, it is worth remembering some indications to be able to identify that the pellet being purchased corresponds to a producer or distributor certified by the ENplus system.
According to AVEBIOM (Spanish Association for Energy Valorization of Biomass), promoter of this quality mark in Spain, the first recommendation is to look for certain information that must necessarily be visible to the buyer and that ensures the authenticity of the quality seal.
In the case of the bag of pellets, the ENplus logo and the code that identifies the producer or certified distributor must appear on the packaging. If the certificate is held by the producer, the numbering begins with 0, and if it is the distributor, the numbering begins with 3. In both cases the code will always have three digits.
Other statements or legends that must appear on the bag and that will guarantee the veracity of the certification are the Product Data -weight, diameter, name and address of the certified company-, and the Notes -“Wood pellets”; “Store in a dry place” and “Use only in appropriate and approved combustion systems in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and national standards.”
If the option chosen is to buy in bulk, the ENplus pellet must come from a certified distributor, with the seal with the identification number appearing on the material delivery documentation, as mentioned above. It can also come from a certified producer, as long as it is a complete load of more than 20tn and for a single recipient, that is, the biofuel will be transported by tankers or trucks loaded with more than 20tn that will be delivered directly. , to a single client. As in the previous case, the stamp with the producer's identification number must be legible on the invoice.
What are the most widespread frauds?
In the area of fraudulent cases, the most common thing is to detect production/distributor companies that claim that their pellet is ENplus, without actually having the certification. Generally, these firms publish it on their websites, where they also place the generic ENplus seal -without an identifying code-, to offer the appearance of truthfulness to their false certification.
It is also worth paying special attention to those companies that have been certified at some point and that, for one reason or another, have had their certificate suspended and continue to sell their pellets as ENplus. AVEBIOM's recommendation to avoid deception or scams is to consult the certified companies page and check that the producer/distributor is certified and has the ENplus seal in force. If it was suspended and the pellet was purchased after the suspension date (it is indicated on this website ), we would be talking about fraud, in which case, the first step should be to immediately notify AVEBIOM so that it can begin the legal procedures.
Alicia Mira, technician for European ENplus-BIOMASUD Certification Projects at AVEBIOM, insists to pellet buyers on the importance of “being very attentive to the identification number to know which certified producer/distributor it corresponds to, and if it is not there, ask. The list can be consulted at http://www.pelletenplus.es and if you have any questions or suspicions of fraud, the most responsible thing to do is to contact AVEBIOM."
Another important indicator to take into account is the Blacklist that the EPC (European Pellet Council), manager of the ENplus seal worldwide, prepares and publishes with the names of the producers/distributors who have committed fraud.
In this sense, in the words of Alicia Mira: “AVEBIOM is committed to addressing all doubts or requests for information that may arise in relation to the ENplus certification, and will put all resources at its disposal to protect certified companies and, consequently, , to distributors and buyers, to guarantee the correct use of the brand and, therefore, that consumers can enjoy the advantages of using pellets with a quality guarantee.”
