The Ontario, Canada government has issued new regulations imposing a provincial biodiesel mandate that came into force April 1.

In its initial December 2013 proposal, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment called for an annual average of 2% biofuel content in all diesel fuel sold in the province from April 2014 through December 2015, followed by an annual average of biofuel content of 4% biodiesel starting after 2016.

The published regulation delays full implementation by one year, but includes a 3% intermediary phase before the 4% mandate beings in 2017.

Northern Ontario will not be included in the mandate until 2017.

The Ontario Trucking Association says it is concerned the new rules will lead to the use of biodiesel with a higher biofuel content than that currently accepted by most heavy truck engine manufacturers’ warranties.

“With the introduction of the regulations we have no choice but to see what happens,” says OTA president David Bradley. “It’s unfortunate that the legitimate concerns of the consumer were not more explicitly addressed when the Ministry of the Environment had the chance to do so during the writing of the regulation. However, going forward, we’re calling upon the Ministry of the Environment to now work with us and the Ministry of Transportation to ensure that warranty issues, fuel quality and winter performance are monitored and corrective action taken when necessary.”