The government’s white paper on energy set targets for energy from renewable sources to alleviate dependence on fossil fuels. The NMISA is not an active participant in the ‘traditional’ fuel industry, as this industry has its own standards and systems to ensure compliance to the national specifications and regulations. In the emerging biofuel industry, however, the NMISA can play a leading role in the specifications. The Chemistry Division has established methods already for bio-ethanol, as well as the fatty acid methyl ethers of biodiesel, while in the physical metrology areas, methods are being developed for density and viscosity, with capability for other properties such as flashpoints. A relationship has been established with the Department of Energy and the SABS, while links with both India and Brazil have been identified. There is a need to properly research the current South Africa specification (which results in quite a costly analysis for producers) to develop guidelines on frequency of testing, and even perhaps to work with industry to develop instruments for some of the most critical quality control/assurance tests.