EN590 was introduced to
coincide with the development of new emissions
standards across the European Union. The overall
goal has been to reduce the sulphur content of
diesel fuel. Sulphur had been used as a
lubricant in the fuel. Its role is taken by
special additives in ULSD.
Since 2007, diesel that conforms to EN590 has
been referred to as
Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD)
in the European Union. The phrase “Ultra Low
Sulphur Diesel” is governed by different
standards in other parts of the world.
EN590 describes the physical properties that all
automotive diesel fuel must meet if it is to be
sold in the European Union, Croatia, Iceland,
Norway and Switzerland.
The EN 590 had been introduced along with the
European emission standards. With each of its
revisions the EN 590 had been adapted to lower
the sulphur content of diesel fuel – since
2007 this is called ultra low sulphur diesel as
the former function of sulphur as a lubricant is
absent (and needs to be replaced by additives).
The quality of European diesel fuels is
specified by the EN 590 standard. While these
specifications not are mandatory, they are
observed by all fuel suppliers in Europe.
Automobile diesel en 590 is intended for
application in diesel engines. Diesel motor fuel
quality meets the requirements of European
Standard EN 590. For operation in the conditions
of a temperate climate following marks of fuel
diesel automobile EN 590 are offered: Grade C
– limiting filterability temperature -5 °
C; Grade D – limiting filterability
temperature -10 ° C; Grade E – limiting
filterability temperature – 15 ° C; Grade
F – limiting filterability temperature -20
° C. The entire volume of produced diesel fuel
quality meets the requirements for fuels for
vehicles of Euro 4 and Euro 5. Low sulfur
content in diesel EN 590 reduces emissions of
sulfur oxides into the atmosphere, which is
especially important for for inhabitants of big
cities.