The full traceability requirements for 91-91 i7 are outlined in Annex J.  Annex J states:

J.1 Background  

J1.1 Aviation fuel quality assurance is based on certification at point of manufacture and procedures to verify that the quality of the aviation fuel concerned has not changed and remains within the specification limits during distribution and delivery to aircraft. Proper documentation is an essential part of this process. The key documents are:

• Refinery Certificate of Quality
• Certificate of Analysis
• Release Certificate

J.1.2 Refinery Certificate of Quality (RCQ)

J.1.2.1 The RCQ is produced at the point of manufacture and is the definitive original document describing the quality of a batch of aviation fuel. It contains the results of measurements, made by the product originator’s laboratory, of all the properties listed in Table 1 of this Standard as well as those additional testing requirements detailed in Annex D for fuels containing synthesised components where appropriate. It also provides information regarding the addition of additives, including both type and amount of any such additives as permitted at Annex A.

The RCQ shall always be dated and signed by an authorised signatory.

The minimum requirements of information to be included on the fuel’s refinery batch test certificate are given below:

• Specification name, issue and any amendment number;
• Name and address of testing laboratory;
• Batch number or unique identifier;
• Quantity of fuel in the batch;
• Properties tested including specification limit, test method and result of test;
• Additives, including qualification reference and quantity added;
• Name and position of authorised test certificate signatory or electronic signature;
• Date of certification.

The RCQ can be produced by independent laboratories working on behalf of refineries but the Certificate must state the manufacturing source refinery. In the case of fuels containing synthesised components, the point of manufacture (blending) of the finished fuel must be stated, along with the original source location and certification references for the blend components used if they are different.

J.1.3 Certificate of Analysis (CoA)

J.1.3.1 A CoA is issued by independent inspectors and/or laboratories and contains the results of measurements made of all the Table 1 properties but does not necessarily contain or provide information regarding those identified as being required at point of manufacture or the type and amount of any additives or percentage of synthetic or hydro-processed components. It shall be dated and signed by an authorized signatory. Typically CoAs are produced downstream of refineries in intermediate supply terminals or intermediate storage locations. For a CoA of a batch to verify conformance with this standard, the RCQs for all the component batches that make up the new batch shall be available. Where component batches are themselves covered by a CoA, the component RCQs shall also be available.

NOTE: A Certificate of Analysis shall not be treated as a Refinery Certificate of Quality.

J.1.4 Release Certificates (RC)

J.1.4.1 The Release Certificate supports any transfer of aviation fuel, confirming compliance with this Standard and contains as a minimum the following information:

• Reference to Batch number or other unique identifier (e.g. Tank number , date and time)
• Test report number (last full certification (RCQ or CoA or re-certification test on this batch.)
• Date and time of release
• Certified batch density
• Quantity of fuel (this may be added subsequently for pipeline transfers)
• Fully complies with the visual appearance requirement of Table 1 (and conductivity if SDA is present)
• Grade of fuel and specification
• Signature of releasing authority.

The RC need not duplicate existing information but must be part of the consignment notes.

J.1.5 For supply into airports, product shall be supported by a valid test certificate that is less than 180 days old. Valid test certificates shall either be:

a) Refinery Certificate of Quality (RCQ)

b) Certificate of Analysis (COA)

c) Recertification Test Certificate (as defined in JIG Guidelines)

Note : where the Refinery Certificate of Quality is greater than 12 months old, a Certificate of Analysis of less than 180 days old is the minimum requirement for supply to airports. Should there have been subsequent changes to the specification during this period, any additional testing required by the current specification at the time of re-testing shall be conducted.

NOTE: drum stocks are an exception to this requirement. Here the certification is valid for 12 months from filling date or last re-test date for the batch of drums.

J.2 Traceability

Traceability for aviation turbine fuel means, being able to track distinct batches of fuel through the distribution system back to the original point of manufacture. This requires batch volume and quality documentation (i.e. RCQ’s and/or CoA’s and RC’s) with information on additive concentration, hydro-processed content and synthetic components (if present, see Annex D) to be maintained.

It is acknowledged that in certain distribution operations (e.g. in fungible pipeline systems) traceability cannot always be maintained. Where multiple batches are co-mingled and specific batch traceability is lost (i.e. volume information is not available), a CoA shall be produced for the new batch. In this case, the original RCQ’s and/or CoA’s for the components of the new batch shall be available.

Provided that the batch in the tank has been certified, the residual heel in the tank (less than 3% of tank volume) need not be supported by all the RCQ/COA documentation referred to above.