⛽ Automotive LPG — requirements and test methods, PN-EN 589

Petrochemistry PN-EN 589

Overview

THE SCOPE OF THE EDITION IN FORCE, QUOTED VERBATIM FROM THE CARD: "This document specifies requirements and test methods for marketed automotive LPG fuel (commonly known as low-pressure liquefied gas or liquefied petroleum gas). This document applies to automotive LPG fuel used in motor vehicles intended to run on LPG fuel. [...] WARNING — Attention is drawn to the risk of fire and explosion in the use of LPG and to the health hazard arising from inhaling excessive quantities of LPG. LPG is a highly volatile hydrocarbon liquid that is normally stored under pressure. Should the pressure fall, large quantities of gas are generated which form explosive mixtures with air."

A CHANGE OF SCOPE BETWEEN EDITIONS — SOMETHING THAT SHOWS ONLY WHEN THE CARDS ARE COMPARED. The previous edition, PN-EN 589+A1:2022-07, defined LPG by LISTING UN NUMBERS: 1011, 1075, 1965, 1969 and 1978, together with a description of the composition ("mainly propane, propene, butane, butane isomers, butenes"). The 2024 edition does NOT CONTAIN that definition — it speaks of a gas "commonly known as low-pressure liquefied gas or liquefied petroleum gas". A closed definition, referring to the classification of dangerous goods, has thus given way to a descriptive one. For a laboratory this matters when accepting a commission: if a test procedure invokes the definition by UN numbers, it is invoking a withdrawn edition.

THE WARNING IS PART OF THE SCOPE, NOT AN APPENDIX. The card quotes it in the "Scope" field, which is rare in fuel standards: the risk of fire and explosion and the health hazard from inhalation are named before any technical requirement is stated. The sentence about a fall in pressure explains the mechanism: a liquid stored under pressure, once that pressure is lost, evaporates into a large volume and forms explosive mixtures.

A LIMIT ON THE APPLICATION. The scope narrows the standard to fuel used "in motor vehicles intended to run on LPG fuel". Gas for heating, camping or industrial purposes is not subject to these requirements.

FIVE VERIFIED LINKS IN FIFTEEN YEARS. Cards retrieved 15 September 2026: PN-EN 589:2009 (Polish, withdrawn 04-05-2012) → PN-EN 589+A1:2012 (withdrawn 15-04-2019) → PN-EN 589:2019-04 together with corrigendum Ap1:2019-07 (withdrawn 25-07-2022) → PN-EN 589+A1:2022-07 (withdrawn 22-08-2024) → PN-EN 589:2024-08 (in force). It is the most frequently changed of the three road fuel standards described in this knowledge base — and, as the example of the LPG definition shows, a change of edition can rebuild the scope itself, not only the values.

THE DATE 22-08-2024 CONCERNS THE ENGLISH VERSION. The edition in force appeared first in English; the card of the POLISH version gives a publication date of 14-10-2025. For over a year the standard in force was therefore available in English only — and only since the autumn of 2025 has a translation existed. We record this because a laboratory that checked for a Polish version in 2024 and did not find one may have stayed with the withdrawn edition.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not have the text of the standard — PKN supplies it for a fee (22 pages, KT 222/PK 1 — the PKN technical committee for Liquid Fuels, ICS 75.160.20). We therefore GIVE NO LIMIT VALUE: neither the motor octane number, nor sulfur content, nor vapour pressure, nor evaporation residue, nor the requirements for water content.

Method principle

Conformity of LPG is assessed by setting the test results against the table of requirements of the standard. What is assessed is marketed fuel intended for vehicles adapted to run on LPG. Sampling a liquefied gas requires pressure vessels and a procedure different from that for liquid fuels, because the material changes its state when pressure is lost.

Applications

• Assessing the conformity of LPG intended to fuel motor vehicles
• Quality control of the fuel at autogas stations and filling plants
• Settling complaints about the quality of autogas
• The reference document for method entries on LPG testing — in this knowledge base, among others, on the corrosive action on copper

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 589:2024-08 (dostępna po polsku i angielsku; wprowadza EN 589:2024 [IDT])

Title (PL)

Paliwa do pojazdów samochodowych -- LPG -- Wymagania i metody badań

Title (EN)

Automotive fuels — LPG — Requirements and test methods

Step-by-step procedure

1. Establish the edition of the standard

   Since 22-08-2024 PN-EN 589:2024-08 has been in force. Check whether your own procedure does not invoke the definition by UN numbers — that one comes from a withdrawn edition.

2. Establish the application

   The standard concerns fuel for vehicles adapted to LPG. Heating gas is subject to other documents.

3. Take the sample

   Into a pressure vessel, by a procedure proper to liquefied gases.

4. Carry out the determinations by the specified methods

   The method is part of the requirement.

5. Assess as a whole and record

   Give the full designation of the standard with the year of edition and the conditions of sampling.

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• The scope of the standard contains a WARNING: the risk of fire and explosion in the use of LPG and the health hazard from inhaling excessive quantities
• LPG is a highly volatile liquid stored under pressure — should the pressure fall, large quantities of gas are generated which form explosive mixtures with air
• The gas is heavier than air and collects in hollows and ducts; expanding gas causes frostbite — gloves and safety goggles are required

Frequently asked questions