Technical reference

EN590 diesel (AGO) specifications

A working reference for buyers, off-takers and inspection teams evaluating automotive gas oil cargoes. Every parcel Davos Energy Commodities structures is tested against the contractual specification by an independent inspector before title transfer.

Specification table

Standard parameters, limits and test methods

Limits below follow the EN 590 automotive diesel standard, with the sulphur grade selected per contract (10 PPM or 50 PPM being the most commonly traded across West and Central Africa).

EN590 diesel specification parameters, limits and test methods
ParameterUnitLimitTest method
Sulphur contentmg/kg10 max (10 PPM grade) / 50 max (50 PPM grade)ISO 20846 / ISO 20884
Cetane number51.0 minEN ISO 5165
Cetane index46.0 minEN ISO 4264
Density at 15 °Ckg/m³820 – 845EN ISO 3675 / 12185
Flash point°CAbove 55EN ISO 2719
Kinematic viscosity at 40 °Cmm²/s2.00 – 4.50EN ISO 3104
Water contentmg/kg200 maxEN ISO 12937
Total contaminationmg/kg24 maxEN 12662
Ash content% m/m0.01 maxEN ISO 6245
Carbon residue (10% dist. residue)% m/m0.30 maxEN ISO 10370
Copper strip corrosion (3 h at 50 °C)ratingClass 1EN ISO 2160
Oxidation stabilityg/m³25 maxEN ISO 12205
Lubricity (wear scar dia., 60 °C)µm460 maxEN ISO 12156-1
Distillation — 95% recovered°C360 maxEN ISO 3405
FAME content% v/v7.0 max (B7) — nil for straight-run gradesEN 14078
  • Cold-flow properties (CFPP / cloud point) are climate-dependent and are agreed per destination — tropical grades typically require no winterisation.
  • Values above reflect the widely used EN 590 automotive diesel standard. The binding specification for any cargo is the one stated in the contract and confirmed by the independent inspector's certificate.
  • Quantity and quality are determined at load and discharge by an independent inspection company (SGS, Intertek, Saybolt or similar) with certificates issued per parcel.

Next step

Request an EN590 offer against your specification

Share your grade, monthly volume, delivery basis and discharge port. We revert with an offer structure, inspection scope and documentation sequence.