The Pellet Fuels Institute recently announced the qualification of pellet fuel manufacturer Colombo Energy of Greenwood, South Carolina, into the Pellet Fuels Institute Standards Program. The PFI Standards Program is a third-party accreditation program providing specifications for residential and commercial-grade pellet fuel, now representing 17 pellet manufacturing companies, among them 29 facilities.

“It is now becoming more likely than not that a pellet fuels customer is purchasing pellets from a qualified producer,” said Chris Amey, chairman of the PFI Board of Directors. “The Quality Mark on the bag lets a consumer know that they are purchasing fuel from an independently evaluated pellet producer. If you’re not sure, ask your retailer about how to identify the Quality Mark on pellet bags. We welcome Colombo Energy into the PFI Standards Program and look forward to many more PFI Standards Program members.” 

In qualifying for the Standards Program, Colombo Energy joins companies with previously qualified facilities New England Wood Pellet, Curran Renewable Energy, American Wood Fibers, Lignetics Inc., Marth Peshtigo Pellet Co., Forest Energy Corp., Indeck Ladysmith, Energex, Spearfish Pellet Co., Smith Flooring, Michigan Wood Fuels LLC, Trae Fuels Ltd., Somerset Pellet Fuel, NWP Jasper, Georgia Biomass and Snow Timber Pellets. 

PFI Standards Program participants can display the PFI Quality Mark on their pellet bags, signifying their qualification to the program requirements. This quality mark demonstrates to consumers that the product comes from a facility that submits its product to regular third party audits by an independent accredited auditing agency and testing laboratory. Random audits are regularly performed at production facilities to ensure qualified companies are following a quality control program. Wood pellets are tested according to the program specifications, also on a monthly basis. By taking these steps, participants ensure that their pellet quality remains consistent. Colombo Energy was qualified by accredited auditing agency Timber Products Inspection.