SGS Strengthens French Laboratory Network with Expanded Hydrogen, Biofuels and Petrochemical Testing Facility in Oudalle

SGS Strengthens French Laboratory Network with Expanded Hydrogen, Biofuels and Petrochemical Testing Facility in Oudalle

(IN BRIEF) SGS has expanded its hydrogen testing capabilities in Normandy, France, through the relocation and enlargement of its laboratory operations in Oudalle, near Le Havre. The development builds on the company’s 2022 investment in advanced hydrogen analysis technologies and responds to growing demand for testing services across the hydrogen, biofuels and petrochemical sectors. The new facility strengthens SGS’s regional presence and broadens its petrochemical inspection, industrial analytical and laboratory outsourcing capabilities. Certified and accredited under COFRAC ISO/CEI 17025 n°1-6456 standards, the Oudalle laboratory supports hydrogen purity and contaminant testing in line with ISO 14687 and EN 17124 Grade D/F specifications. It also provides analytical services for sustainable aviation fuel and hydrotreated vegetable oil, supporting the shift toward lower-emission fuels. SGS’s participation in ISO/TC 197 Technical Committees further reinforces its recognised expertise in hydrogen fuel quality, quality control and sampling standards.

(PRESS RELEASE) BAAR, 21-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification provider, has expanded its hydrogen testing capabilities in Normandy, France, strengthening its laboratory services for companies operating across the hydrogen, biofuels and petrochemical sectors. The expansion reflects rising demand for advanced analytical support as industries accelerate the transition toward lower-emission fuels and more sustainable energy systems.

The company first invested in dedicated hydrogen testing capabilities at its laboratory in France in 2022, equipping the site with advanced technologies designed to deliver the full range of analysis required for hydrogen purity compliance. This investment enabled SGS to support customers with high-precision testing services aligned with the increasingly demanding quality requirements of the hydrogen market.

Building on that earlier development, SGS relocated and expanded its operations in 2025 to a larger facility in Oudalle, near Le Havre. The new laboratory strengthens the company’s petrochemical inspection and industrial analytical service offering in Normandy, while creating additional capacity to support growth in emerging energy sectors, including hydrogen and biofuels.

The Oudalle facility is positioned to serve customers requiring specialised testing, inspection and laboratory outsourcing solutions. Its expanded capabilities allow SGS to provide broader analytical support to energy, industrial and fuel-sector clients seeking to verify product quality, meet regulatory expectations and manage evolving technical requirements.

Arjan Praat, Vice President of Oil, Gas and Chemical Analytics at SGS, visited the facility in April 2026 and highlighted the strength of the local teams and the laboratory’s capabilities. He said the new oil, gas and chemicals laboratory in Oudalle reinforces SGS’s presence in the region and improves its ability to deliver versatile testing and laboratory outsourcing services.

The laboratory provides advanced hydrogen and renewable fuel testing capabilities at a time when demand for analytical services in these areas is increasing. Drawing on SGS’s established expertise in hydrogen analysis, the Oudalle site is designed to support the industry’s changing needs as hydrogen moves further into commercial and industrial applications.

The facility is certified and accredited under COFRAC ISO/CEI 17025 n°1-6456 standards, with its scope available through COFRAC. It uses innovative analytical solutions to support hydrogen purity and contaminant testing in line with ISO 14687 and EN 17124 Grade D/F specifications.

Beyond hydrogen, SGS also provides analytical services for sustainable aviation fuel and hydrotreated vegetable oil. These services support the development and adoption of lower-emission fuels, helping customers assess fuel quality and comply with relevant technical standards as the energy sector continues to diversify.

SGS’s role in the hydrogen economy extends beyond laboratory operations. The company is an active member of the ISO/TC 197 Technical Committees covering hydrogen fuel quality, hydrogen quality control and sampling for fuel quality analysis. This involvement reflects SGS’s recognised expertise and its contribution to the development of international standards and best practices for hydrogen.

Through its expanded Oudalle laboratory, SGS supports clients across the hydrogen value chain with testing, inspection and certification services. The company helps customers address safety, quality, standards and regulatory challenges, while contributing to the broader transition toward cleaner fuels and more sustainable energy infrastructure.

Discover our solutions for the hydrogen value chain

For more information, please contact:

Arjan Praat
Vice-President of Oil, Gas and Chemical Analytical Services
+31 653 72 7003

SOURCE: SGS