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M/400 - Gas qualities

Mandate to CEN for Standardisation in the field of gas qualities

Mandate M/400 requests CEN to develop and standardize gas quality specifications within the European Union. The goal is to ensure harmonized quality standards for gases, facilitating market integration, safety, and interoperability across member states. This mandate supports the creation of consistent technical criteria for gas composition, properties, and measurement methods to enhance the reliability and efficiency of gas supply and consumption. The mandate’s approval was formalized through resolution CEN/BT C5/2007.

Purpose

The mandate M/400 concerns the standardisation of gas qualities. Its purpose is to request the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) to develop standards related to the quality characteristics of gases. This initiative aims to establish common criteria that ensure compatibility, safety, and efficiency in the use and distribution of gases across Europe.

Standardisation request

The European Commission has mandated CEN to produce harmonised technical standards in the field of gas qualities. These standards are expected to cover various aspects of gas composition, properties, and parameters critical to industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. The objective is to facilitate interoperability and market integration within the EU's internal energy market.

Expected deliverables

While specific deliverables are not detailed in the mandate metadata, typical expected outcomes include:

  • European Standards (ENs) defining acceptable gas quality parameters.
  • Testing and measurement methods for gas quality verification.
  • Guidelines for the assessment and management of gas quality in pipelines and appliances.

Context

This mandate was debated and resolved through CEN’s decision-making bodies, specifically in reference CEN/BT C5/2007. It reflects the EU’s ongoing efforts to harmonise technical standards to support energy market efficiency and sustainability initiatives. Addressing gas quality standards is essential for ensuring the interoperability of gas networks and for promoting competition and consumer protection within the internal market.

The mandate covers standardisation work in the field of gas qualities, focusing on establishing standards related to the physical and chemical characteristics of gases used in various applications, including supply and energy sectors.

General Information

Organization
CEN - CEN European Committee for Standardization
Status
Confirmed
Resolution Reference
CEN/BT C5/2007
Resolution Date
13-Mar-2007
Type Of Decision
(Dis-)Approval of mandate

Related Directives

2009/142/EC - Appliances burning gaseous fuels
90/396/EEC - Appliances burning gaseous fuels
Standardization Organization
ICS
Technical Committee
Directive
50
SIST
SIST EN 16726:2025(Main)
Gas infrastructure - Quality of gas - Group H
EN 16726:2025

This European standard specifies gas quality characteristics, parameters and their limits, for gases classified as group H that are to be transmitted, injected into and from storages, distributed and utilized.
NOTE   For information on gas families and gas groups see EN 437.
This European standard does not cover gases conveyed on isolated networks.
For biomethane, additional requirements indicated in prEN 16723 1 apply.

  • Standard + National Annex and/or Foreword
    102 pages
    Foreword and/or annex in Slovenian language, body of the standard in English language
    e-Library read for
    1 day
  • Draft
    74 pages
    English language
    e-Library read for
    1 day
CEN
EN 16726:2025(Main)
Gas infrastructure - Quality of gas - Group H
SIST EN 16726:2025

This European standard specifies gas quality characteristics, parameters and their limits, for gases classified as group H that are to be transmitted, injected into and from storages, distributed and utilized.
NOTE   For information on gas families and gas groups see EN 437.
This European standard does not cover gases conveyed on isolated networks.
For biomethane, additional requirements indicated in prEN 16723 1 apply.

  • Standard + National Annex and/or Foreword
    102 pages
    Foreword and/or annex in Slovenian language, body of the standard in English language
    e-Library read for
    1 day
  • Draft
    74 pages
    English language
    e-Library read for
    1 day
CEN
EN 16726:2015+A1:2018(Main)
Gas infrastructure - Quality of gas - Group H
SIST EN 16726:2016+A1:2018

This European standard specifies gas quality characteristics, parameters and their limits, for gases classified as group H that are to be transmitted, injected into and from storages, distributed and utilized.
NOTE   For information on gas families and gas groups see EN 437.
This European standard does not cover gases conveyed on isolated networks.
For biomethane, additional requirements indicated in prEN 16723 1 apply.

  • Standard
    48 pages
    English language
    e-Library read for
    1 day
CEN
EN 16726:2015(Main)
Gas infrastructure - Quality of gas - Group H
SIST EN 16726:2016

This European standard specifies gas quality characteristics, parameters and their limits, for gases classified as group H that are to be transmitted, injected into and from storages, distributed and utilized.
NOTE   For information on gas families and gas groups see EN 437.
This European standard does not cover gases conveyed on isolated networks.
For biomethane, additional requirements indicated in prEN 16723 1 apply.

  • Standard
    47 pages
    English language
    e-Library read for
    1 day
SIST
SIST EN 16726:2016+A1:2018(Main)
Gas infrastructure - Quality of gas - Group H
EN 16726:2015+A1:2018

This European standard specifies gas quality characteristics, parameters and their limits, for gases classified as group H that are to be transmitted, injected into and from storages, distributed and utilized.
NOTE   For information on gas families and gas groups see EN 437.
This European standard does not cover gases conveyed on isolated networks.
For biomethane, additional requirements indicated in prEN 16723 1 apply.

  • Standard
    48 pages
    English language
    e-Library read for
    1 day
SIST
SIST EN 16726:2016(Main)
Gas infrastructure - Quality of gas - Group H
EN 16726:2015

This European standard specifies gas quality characteristics, parameters and their limits, for gases classified as group H that are to be transmitted, injected into and from storages, distributed and utilized.
NOTE   For information on gas families and gas groups see EN 437.
This European standard does not cover gases conveyed on isolated networks.
For biomethane, additional requirements indicated in prEN 16723 1 apply.

  • Standard
    47 pages
    English language
    e-Library read for
    1 day
50

Frequently Asked Questions

A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.

M/400 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Mandate to CEN for Standardisation in the field of gas qualities". Mandate to CEN for Standardisation in the field of gas qualities There are 6 standards developed under this mandate.

Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.