Compliance for the Performance-based Measurement System (PBMS)

EPA developed the Performance-based Measurement System (PBMS) to establish criteria for the qualification of test methods used to measure the chemical and physical properties of motor vehicle fuels regulated by EPA’s motor vehicle fuels program.

Overview of Regulatory Requirements

Beginning January 1, 2021, PBMS is required for refiners, importers and testing laboratories that demonstrate compliance with EPA’s gasoline and diesel fuel motor vehicle fuels programs under 1090.1360 through 1090.1375. The regulatory standards for PBMS can be found in the electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

• § 1090.1360 Performance-based Analytical Test Method Approach
• § 1090.1360 Performance-based Measurement System
• § 1090.1365 Qualifying criteria for alternative measurement procedures
• § 1090.1370 Qualifying criteria for reference installations
• § 1090.1375 Quality control procedures

Compliance Help Tools

Compliance with PBMS is based on the following standards:

• Voluntary consensus-based standards body (VCSB) means a domestic or international organization that plans, develops, establishes, or coordinates voluntary consensus standards using agreed-upon procedures.
• Non-voluntary consensus-based standards body (non-VCSB) means a domestic or international regulated party that has developed a proprietary analytical test method that has not been adopted by a VCSB organization.

The following materials were developed to help organizations comply with regulations.