Skip to content.Skip to side navigation. Quick Navigation: Skip to content.Skip to side navigation.
GPO Access Home Page.
Jump to selected topic.
Navigation Bar
About.Help. A-Z Resource List. Locate a Federal Depository Library. Buy Publications. Legislative. Executive. Judicial.
National Archives and Records Administration logo.
Database Features.
Browse
Simple Search
Advanced Search
* Boolean
  * Proximity
Search History
Search Tips
Corrections

Latest Updates

User Info
FAQs
Agency List
Incorporation by Reference
e-CFR Main Page
Related Resources
Code of Federal Regulations
Federal Register
List of CFR
Sections Affected
Regulations.gov
Unified Agenda
All NARA Publications
About Government.
Ben's Guide Logo.
Get Adobe Reader

blue pill
e-CFR Data is current as of November 19, 2009


Title 16: Commercial Practices

Browse Previous | Browse Next

PART 306—AUTOMOTIVE FUEL RATINGS, CERTIFICATION AND POSTING

Section Contents

General

§ 306.0   Definitions.
§ 306.1   What this rule does.
§ 306.2   Who is covered.
§ 306.3   Stayed or invalid parts.
§ 306.4   Preemption.

Duties of Refiners, Importers and Producers

§ 306.5   Automotive fuel rating.
§ 306.6   Certification.
§ 306.7   Recordkeeping.

Duties of Distributors

§ 306.8   Certification.
§ 306.9   Recordkeeping

Duties of Retailers

§ 306.10   Automotive fuel rating posting.
§ 306.11   Recordkeeping.

Label Specifications

§ 306.12   Labels.
Appendix A to Part 306—Summary of Labeling Requirements for Biodiesel Fuels


Authority:   15 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.

Source:   44 FR 19169, Mar. 30, 1979, unless otherwise noted.

General
top
§ 306.0   Definitions.
top

As used in this part:

(a) Octane rating means the rating of the anti-knock characteristics of a grade or type of gasoline as determined by dividing by 2 the sum of the research octane number plus the motor octane number.

(b) Research octane number and motor octane number have the meanings given such terms in the specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) entitled “Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel” designated D4814–92c and, with respect to any grade or type of gasoline, are determined in accordance with test methods set forth in ASTM D2699–92, “Standard Test Method for Knock Characteristics of Motor Fuels by the Research Method” and ASTM D2700–92, “Standard Test Method for Knock Characteristics of Motor and Aviation Fuels by the Motor Method.” These incorporations by reference were approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of ASTM D4814–92c, ASTM D2699–92, and ASTM D2700–92 may be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, or may be inspected at the Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference Room, room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC., or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

(c) Refiner means any person engaged in the production or importation of automotive fuel.

(d) Producer means any person who purchases component elements and combines them to produce and market automotive fuel.

(e) Distributor means any person who receives automotive fuel and distributes such automotive fuel to another person other than the ultimate purchaser.

(f) Retailer means any person who markets automotive fuel to the general public for ultimate consumption.

(g) Ultimate purchaser means, with respect to any item, the first person who purchases such item for purposes other than resale.

(h) Person, for purposes of applying any provision of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq., with respect to any provision of this part, includes a partnership and a corporation.

(i) Automotive fuel means liquid fuel of a type distributed for use as a fuel in any motor vehicle, and the term includes, but is not limited to:

(1) Gasoline, an automotive spark-ignition engine fuel, which includes, but is not limited to, gasohol (generally a mixture of approximately 90% unleaded gasoline and 10% denatured ethanol) and fuels developed to comply with the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., such as reformulated gasoline and oxygenated gasoline; and

(2) Alternative liquid automotive fuels, including, but not limited to:

(i) Methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols;

(ii) Mixtures containing 85 percent or more by volume of methanol, denatured ethanol, and/or other alcohols (or such other percentage, but not less than 70 percent, as determined by the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy, by rule, to provide for requirements relating to cold start, safety, or vehicle functions), with gasoline or other fuels;

(iii) Liquefied natural gas;

(iv) Liquefied petroleum gas;

(v) Coal-derived liquid fuels;

(vi) Biodiesel;

(vii) Biomass-based diesel;

(viii) Biodiesel blends containing more than 5 percent biodiesel by volume; and

(ix) Biomass-based diesel blends containing more than 5 percent biomass-based diesel by volume.

(3) Biodiesel blends and biomass-based diesel blends that contain less than or equal to 5 percent biodiesel by volume and less than or equal to 5 percent biomass-based diesel by volume, and that meet American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) standard D975-07b (“Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils”), are not automotive fuels covered by the requirements of this part. The incorporation of ASTM D975-07b by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of ASTM D975-07b may be obtained from ASTM International, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, or may be inspected at the Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference Room, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: ( http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/cfr/ibr_locations.html. )

(j) Automotive fuel rating means—

(1) For gasoline, the octane rating; or

(2) For an alternative liquid automotive fuel other than biodiesel, biomass-based diesel, biodiesel blend, or biomass-based diesel blend, the commonly used name of the fuel with a disclosure of the amount, expressed as a minimum percentage by volume, of the principal component of the fuel. A disclosure of other components, expressed as a minimum percentage by volume, may be included, if desired.

(3) For biomass-based diesel, biodiesel, biomass-based diesel blends with more than five percent biomass-based diesel, and biodiesel blends with more than five percent biodiesel, a disclosure of the biomass-based diesel or biodiesel component, expressed as the percentage by volume.

(k) Biomass-based diesel means a diesel fuel substitute produced from nonpetroleum renewable resources that meets the registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives established by the Environmental Protection Agency under 42 U.S.C. 7545, and includes fuel derived from animal wastes, including poultry fats and poultry wastes, and other waste materials, or from municipal solid waste and sludges and oils derived from wastewater and the treatment of wastewater, except that the term does not include biodiesel as defined in this part.

(l) Biodiesel means the monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from plant or animal matter that meet: the registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives under 40 CFR part 79; and the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials standard D6751–07b (“Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels”). The incorporation of ASTM D6751–07b by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of ASTM D6751–07b may be obtained from ASTM International, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, or may be inspected at the Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference Room, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, or at NARA. For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: ( http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/cfr/ibr_locations.html ).

(m) Biodiesel blend means a blend of petroleum-based diesel fuel with biodiesel.

(n) Biomass-based diesel blend means a blend of petroleum-based diesel fuel with biomass-based diesel.

[58 FR 41372, Aug. 3, 1993, as amended at 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004; 73 FR 40162, July 11, 2008]

§ 306.1   What this rule does.
top

This rule deals with the certification and posting of automotive fuel ratings in or affecting commerce as “commerce” is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq. It applies to persons, partnerships, and corporations. If you are covered by this regulation, breaking any of its rules is an unfair or deceptive act or practice under section 5 of that Act. You can be fined up to $10,000 (plus an adjustment for inflation, under §1.98 of this chapter) each time you break a rule.

[58 FR 41373, Aug. 3, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 54549, Oct. 21, 1996; 61 FR 55840, Oct. 29, 1996]

§ 306.2   Who is covered.
top

You are covered by this rule if you are a refiner, importer, producer, distributor, or retailer of automotive fuel.

[58 FR 41373, Aug. 3, 1993]

§ 306.3   Stayed or invalid parts.
top

If any part of this rule is stayed or held invalid, the rest of it will stay in force.

[44 FR 19169, Mar. 30, 1979. Redesignated at 58 FR 41372, Aug. 3, 1993]

§ 306.4   Preemption.
top

The Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (“PMPA”), 15 U.S.C. 2801 et seq., as amended, is the law that directs the FTC to enact this rule. Section 204 of PMPA, 15 U.S.C. 2824, provides:

(a) To the extent that any provision of this title applies to any act or omission, no State or any political subdivision thereof may adopt or continue in effect, except as provided in subsection (b), any provision of law or regulation with respect to such act or omission, unless such provision of such law or regulation is the same as the applicable provision of this title.

(b) A State or political subdivision thereof may provide for any investigative or enforcement action, remedy, or penalty (including procedural actions necessary to carry out such investigative or enforcement actions, remedies, or penalties) with respect to any provision of law or regulation permitted by subsection (a).

[58 FR 41373, Aug. 3, 1993]

Duties of Refiners, Importers and Producers
top
§ 306.5   Automotive fuel rating.
top

If you are a refiner, importer, or producer, you must determine the automotive fuel rating of all automotive fuel before you transfer it. You can do that yourself or through a testing lab.

(a) To determine the automotive fuel rating of gasoline, add the research octane number and the motor octane number and divide by two, as explained by the American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) in ASTM D4814–92c, entitled “Standard Specifications for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel.” To determine the research octane number, use ASTM standard test method D2699–92, and to determine the motor octane number, use ASTM standard test method D2700–92.

(b) To determine automotive fuel ratings for alternative liquid automotive fuels other than biodiesel blends and biomass-based diesel blends, you must possess a reasonable basis, consisting of competent and reliable evidence, for the percentage by volume of the principal component of the alternative liquid automotive fuel that you must disclose. In the case of biodiesel blends, you must possess a reasonable basis, consisting of competent and reliable evidence, for the percentage of biodiesel contained in the fuel, and in the case of biomass-based diesel blends, you must possess a reasonable basis, consisting of competent and reliable evidence, for the percentage of biomass-based diesel contained in the fuel. You also must have a reasonable basis, consisting of competent and reliable evidence, for the minimum percentages by volume of other components that you choose to disclose.

[58 FR 41373, Aug. 3, 1993, as amended at 73 FR 40162, July 11, 2008]

§ 306.6   Certification.
top

In each transfer you make to anyone who is not a consumer, you must certify the automotive fuel rating of the automotive fuel consistent with your determination. You can do this in either of two ways:

(a) Include a delivery ticket or other paper with each transfer of automotive fuel. It may be an invoice, bill of lading, bill of sale, terminal ticket, delivery ticket, or any other written proof of transfer. It must contain at least these four items:

(1) Your name;

(2) The name of the person to whom the automotive fuel is transferred;

(3) The date of the transfer;

(4) The automotive fuel rating. Octane rating numbers may be rounded off to a whole or half number equal to or less than the number determined by you.

(b) Give the person a letter or other written statement. This letter must include the date, your name, the other person's name, and the automotive fuel rating of any automotive fuel you will transfer to that person from the date of the letter onwards. Octane rating numbers may be rounded to a whole or half number equal to or less than the number determined by you. This letter of certification will be good until you transfer automotive fuel with a lower automotive fuel rating, except that a letter certifying the fuel rating of biomass-based diesel, biodiesel, biomass-based diesel blend, and/or biodiesel blend will be good only until you transfer those fuels with a different automotive fuel rating, whether the rating is higher or lower. When this happens, you must certify the automotive fuel rating of the new automotive fuel either with a delivery ticket or by sending a new letter of certification.

(c) When you transfer automotive fuel to a common carrier, you must certify the automotive fuel rating of the automotive fuel to the common carrier, either by letter or on the delivery ticket or other paper.

[58 FR 41373, Aug. 3, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 48798, Sept. 23, 1994; 73 FR 40163, July 11, 2008]

§ 306.7   Recordkeeping.
top

You must keep records of how you determined automotive fuel ratings for one year. They must be available for inspection by Federal Trade Commission and Environmental Protection Agency staff members, or by people authorized by FTC or EPA.

[58 FR 41374, Aug. 3, 1993]

Duties of Distributors
top
§ 306.8   Certification.
top

If you are a distributor, you must certify the automotive fuel rating of the automotive fuel in each transfer you make to anyone who is not a consumer.

(a) In the case of gasoline, if you do not blend the gasoline with other gasoline, you must certify the gasoline's octane rating consistent with the octane rating certified to you. If you blend the gasoline with other gasoline, you must certify consistent with your determination of the average, weighted by volume, of the octane ratings certified to you for each gasoline in the blend, or consistent with the lowest octane rating certified to you for any gasoline in the blend. Whether you blend gasoline or not, you may choose to certify the octane rating of the gasoline consistent with your determination of the octane rating according to the method in §306.5. In cases involving gasoline, the octane rating may be rounded to a whole or half number equal to or less than the number certified to you or determined by you.

(b) If you do not blend alternative liquid automotive fuels, you must certify consistent with the automotive fuel rating certified to you. If you blend alternative liquid automotive fuels, you must possess a reasonable basis, consisting of competent and reliable evidence, for the automotive fuel rating that you certify for the blend.

(c) You may certify either by using a delivery ticket with each transfer of automotive fuel, as outlined in §306.6(a), or by using a letter of certification, as outlined in §306.6(b).

(d) When you transfer automotive fuel to a common carrier, you must certify the automotive fuel rating of the automotive fuel to the common carrier, either by letter or on the delivery ticket or other paper. When you receive automotive fuel from a common carrier, you also must receive from the common carrier a certification of the automotive fuel rating of the automotive fuel, either by letter or on the delivery ticket or other paper.

[58 FR 41374, Aug, 3, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 48798, Sept. 23, 1994]

§ 306.9   Recordkeeping
top

You must keep for one year any delivery tickets or letters of certification on which you based your automotive fuel rating certifications. You must also keep for one year records of any automotive fuel rating determinations you made according to §306.5. They must be available for inspection by Federal Trade Commission and Environmental Protection Agency staff members, or by persons authorized by FTC or EPA.

[58 FR 41374, Aug. 3, 1993]

Duties of Retailers
top
§ 306.10   Automotive fuel rating posting.
top

(a) If you are a retailer, you must post the automotive fuel rating of all automotive fuel you sell to consumers. You must do this by putting at least one label on each face of each dispenser through which you sell automotive fuel. If you are selling two or more kinds of automotive fuel with different automotive fuel ratings from a single dispenser, you must put separate labels for each kind of automotive fuel on each face of the dispenser.

(b)(1) The label, or labels, must be placed conspicuously on the dispenser so as to be in full view of consumers and as near as reasonably practical to the price per unit of the automotive fuel.

(2) You may petition for an exemption from the placement requirements by writing the Secretary of the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580. You must state the reasons that you want the exemption.

(c) In the case of gasoline, if you do not blend the gasoline with other gasoline, you must post the octane rating of the gasoline consistent with the octane rating certified to you. If you blend the gasoline with other gasoline, you must post consistent with your determination of the average, weighted by volume, of the octane ratings certified to you for each gasoline in the blend, or consistent with the lowest octane rating certified to you for any gasoline in the blend. Whether you blend gasoline or not, you may choose to post the octane rating of the gasoline consistent with your determination of the octane rating according to the method in §306.5. In cases involving gasoline, the octane rating must be shown as a whole or half number equal to or less than the number certified to you or determined by you.

(d) If you do not blend alternative liquid automotive fuels, you must post consistent with the automotive fuel rating certified to you. If you blend alternative liquid automotive fuels, you must possess a reasonable basis, consisting of competent and reliable evidence, for the automotive fuel rating that you post for the blend.

(e)(1) You must maintain and replace labels as needed to make sure consumers can easily see and read them.

(2) If the labels you have are destroyed or are unusable or unreadable for some unexpected reason, you can satisfy the law by posting a temporary label as much like the required label as possible. You must still get and post the required label without delay.

(f) The following examples of automotive fuel rating disclosures for some presently available alternative liquid automotive fuels are meant to serve as illustrations of compliance with this part, but do not limit the Rule's coverage to only the mentioned fuels:

(1) “Methanol/Minimum ___% Methanol”

(2) “Ethanol/Minimum ___% Ethanol”

(3) “M—85/Minimum ___% Methanol”

(4) “E—85/Minimum ___% Ethanol”

(5) “LPG/Minimum ___% Propane” or

“LPG/Minimum ___% Propane and ___% Butane”

(6) “LNG/Minimum ___% Methane”

(7) “B–20 Biodiesel Blend/contains biomass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5 percent and 20 percent”

(8) “20% Biomass-Based Diesel Blend/contains biomass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5 percent and 20 percent”

(9) “B–100 Biodiesel/contains 100 percent biodiesel”

(10) “100% Biomass-Based Diesel/contains 100 percent biomass-based diesel”

(g) When you receive automotive fuel from a common carrier, you also must receive from the common carrier a certification of the automotive fuel rating of the automotive fuel, either by letter or on the delivery ticket or other paper.

[58 FR 41374, Aug. 3, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 48798, Sept. 23, 1994; 73 FR 40163, July 11, 2008]

§ 306.11   Recordkeeping.
top

You must keep for one year any delivery tickets or letters of certification on which you based your posting of automotive fuel ratings. You also must keep for one year records of any automotive fuel rating determinations you made according to §306.5. These records may be kept at the retail outlet or at another, reasonably close location. They must be available for inspection by Federal Trade Commission and Environmental Protection Agency staff members or by persons authorized by FTC or EPA.

[58 FR 41374, Aug. 3, 1993]

Label Specifications
top
§ 306.12   Labels.
top

All labels must meet the following specifications:

(a) Layout —(1) For gasoline labels. The label is 3&inch; (7.62 cm) wide × 21/2&inch; (6.35 cm) long. The illustrations appearing at the end of this rule are prototype labels that demonstrate the proper layout. “Helvetica Black” type is used throughout except for the octane rating number on octane labels, which is in Franklin gothic type. All type is centered. Spacing of the label is1/4&inch; (.64 cm) between the top border and the first line of text,1/8&inch; (.32 cm) between the first and second line of text,1/4&inch; (.64 cm) between the octane rating and the line of text above it. All text and numerals are centered within the interior borders.

(2) For alternative liquid automotive fuel labels (one principal component) other than biodiesel, biomass-based diesel, biodiesel blends, and biomass-based diesel blends. The label is 3 inches (7.62 cm) wide × 21/2inches (6.35 cm) long. “Helvetica black” type is used throughout. All type is centered. The band at the top of the label contains the name of the fuel. This band should measure 1 inch (2.54 cm) deep. Spacing of the fuel name is 1/4 inch (.64 cm) from the top of the label and 3/16 inch (.48 cm) from the bottom of the black band, centered horizontally within the black band. The first line of type beneath the black band is 1/8 inch (.32 cm) from the bottom of the black band. All type below the black band is centered horizontally, with 1/8 inch (.32 cm) between each line. The bottom line of type is 3/16 inch (.48 cm) from the bottom of the label. All type should fall no closer than 3/16 inch (.48 cm) from the side edges of the label. If you wish to change the dimensions of this single component label to accommodate a fuel descriptor that is longer than shown in the sample labels, you must petition the Federal Trade Commission. You can do this by writing to the Secretary of the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580. You must state the size and contents of the label that you wish to use, and the reasons that you want to use it.

(3) For alternative liquid automotive fuel labels (two components). The label is 3&inch; (7.62 cm) wide × 21/2&inch; (6.35 cm) long. “Helvetica black” type is used throughout. All type is centered. The band at the top of the label contains the name of the fuel. This band should measure 1&inch; (2.54 cm) deep. Spacing of the fuel name is1/4&inch; (.64 cm) from the top of the label and3/16&inch; (.48 cm) from the bottom of the black band, centered horizontally within the black band. The first line of type beneath the black band is3/16&inch; (.48 cm) from the bottom of the black band. All type below the black band is centered horizontally, with1/8&inch; (.32 cm) between each line. The bottom line of type is1/4&inch; (.64 cm) from the bottom of the label. All type should fall no closer than3/16&inch; (.48 cm) from the side edges of the label. If you wish to change the dimensions of this two component label to accommodate additional fuel components, you must petition the Federal Trade Commission. You can do this by writing to the Secretary of the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580. You must state the size and contents of the label that you wish to use, and the reasons that you want to use it.

(4) For biodiesel blends containing more than 5 percent and no greater than 20 percent biodiesel by volume. (i) The label is 3 inches (7.62 cm) wide × 21/2inches (6.35 cm) long. “Helvetica black” type is used throughout. All type is centered. The band at the top of the label contains either:

(A) The capital letter “B” followed immediately by the numerical value representing the volume percentage of biodiesel in the fuel (e. g., “B–20”) and then by the term “Biodiesel Blend”; or

(B) The term “Biodiesel Blend.”

(ii) The band should measure 1 inch (2.54 cm) deep. Spacing of the text in the band is 1/4 inch (.64 cm) from the top of the label and 3/16 inch (.48 cm) from the bottom of the black band, centered horizontally within the black band. Directly underneath the black band, the label shall read “contains biomass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5 percent and 20 percent.” The script underneath the black band must be centered horizontally, with 1/8 inch (.32 cm) between each line. The bottom line of type is 1/4 inch (.64 cm) from the bottom of the label. All type should fall no closer than 3/16 inch (.48 cm) from the side edges of the label.

(5) For biomass-based diesel blends containing more than 5 percent and no greater than 20 percent biomass-based diesel by volume. (i) The label is 3 inches (7.62 cm) wide × 21/2inches (6.35 cm) long. “Helvetica black” type is used throughout. All type is centered. The band at the top of the label contains either:

(A) The numerical value representing the volume percentage of biomass-based diesel in the fuel followed immediately by the percentage symbol (e.g., “20%”) and then by the term “Biomass-Based Diesel Blend”; or

(B) The term “Biomass-Based Diesel Blend.”

(ii) The band should measure 1 inch (2.54 cm) deep. Spacing of the text in the band is 1/4 inch (.64 cm) from the top of the label and 3/16 inch (.48 cm) from the bottom of the black band, centered horizontally within the black band. Directly underneath the black band, the label shall read “contains biomass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5 percent and 20 percent.” The script underneath the black band must be centered horizontally, with 1/8 inch (.32 cm) between each line. The bottom line of type is 1/4 inch (.64 cm) from the bottom of the label. All type should fall no closer than 3/16 inch (.48 cm) from the side edges of the label.

(6) For biodiesel blends containing more than 20 percent biodiesel by volume. The requirements are the same as in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, except that the black band at the top of the label shall contain the capital letter “B” followed immediately by the numerical value representing the volume percentage of biodiesel in the fuel (e.g., “B–70”) and then the term “Biodiesel Blend.” In addition, the words directly underneath the black band shall read “contains more than 20 percent biomass-based diesel or biodiesel.”

(7) For biomass-based diesel blends containing more than 20 percent biomass-based diesel by volume. The requirements are the same as in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, except that the black band at the top of the label shall contain the numerical value representing the volume percentage of biomass-based diesel in the fuel followed immediately by the percentage symbol (e.g., “70%”) and then the term “Biomass-Based Diesel Blend.” In addition, the words directly underneath the black band shall read “contains more than 20 percent biomass-based diesel or biodiesel.”

(8) For 100% biodiesel. The requirements are the same as in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, except that the black band at the top of the label shall contain the phrase “B-100 Biodiesel.” In addition, the words directly underneath the black band shall read “contains 100 percent biodiesel.”

(9) For 100% biomass-based diesel. The requirements are the same as in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, except that the black band at the top of the label shall contain the phrase “100% Biomass-Based Diesel.” In addition, the words directly underneath the black band shall read “contains 100 percent biomass-based diesel.”

(b) Type size and setting —(1) For gasoline labels. The Helvetica series is used for all numbers and letters with the exception of the octane rating number. Helvetica is available in a variety of phototype setting systems, by linotype, and in a variety of computer desk-top and phototype setting systems. Its name may vary, but the type must conform in style and thickness to the sample provided here. The line “Minimum Octane Rating” is set in 12 point Helvetica Bold, all capitals, with letterspace set at 121/2points. The line “(R+M)/2 METHOD” is set in 10 point Helvetica Bold, all capitals, with letterspace set at 101/2points. The octane number is set in 96 point Franklin gothic condensed with1/8&inch; (.32 cm) space between the numbers.

(2) For alternative liquid automotive fuel lables (one principal component). All type should be set in upper case (all caps) “Helvetica Black” throughout. Helvetica Black is available in a variety of computer desk-top and phototype setting systems. Its name may vary, but the type must conform in style and thickness to the sample provided here. The spacing between letters and words should be set as “normal.” The type for the fuel name is 50 point (1/2&inch; (1.27 cm) cap height) “Helvetica Black,” knocked out of a 1&inch; (2.54 cm) deep band. The type for the words “MINIMUM” and the principal component is 24 pt. (1/4&inch; (.64 cm) cap height.) The type for percentage is 36 pt. (3/8&inch; (.96 cm) cap height).

(3) For alternative liquid automotive fuel labels (two components). All type should be set in upper case (all caps) “Helvetica Black” throughout. Helvetica Black is available in a variety of computer desk-top and phototype setting systems. Its name may vary, but the type must conform in style and thickness to the sample provided here. The spacing between letters and words should be set as “normal.” The type for the fuel name is 50 point (1/2&inch; 1.27 cm) cap height) “Helvetica Black,” knocked out of a 1&inch; (2.54 cm) deep band. All other type is 24 pt. (1/4&inch; (.64 cm) cap height.)

(c) Colors —(1) For gasoline labels. The basic color on all octane labels is process yellow. All type is process black. All borders are process black. All colors must be non-fade.

(2) For alternative liquid automotive fuel labels other than biodiesel and biodiesel blends. The background color on all the labels is Orange: PMS 1495 or its equivalent. The knock-out type within the black band is Orange: PMS 1495 or its equivalent. All other type is process black. All borders are process black. All colors must be non-fade.

(3) For biodiesel and biodiesel blends. The background color on all the labels is Blue: PMS 277 or its equivalent. The knock-out type within the black band is Blue: PMS 277 or its equivalent. All other type is process black. All borders are process black. All colors must be non-fade.

(d) Contents. Examples of the contents are shown in the sample labels. The proper octane rating for each gasoline must be shown. The proper automotive fuel rating for each alternative liquid automotive fuel must be shown. No marks or information other than that called for by this rule may appear on the labels.

(e) Special label protection. All labels must be capable of withstanding extremes of weather conditions for a period of at least one year. They must be resistant to automotive fuel, oil, grease, solvents, detergents, and water.

(f) Illustrations of labels. Labels should meet the specifications in this section, and should look like these examples, except the black print should be on the appropriately colored background.

View or download PDF

View or download PDF

View or download PDF

[58 FR 41375, Aug. 3, 1993, as amended at 73 FR 40163, July 11, 2008]

Appendix A to Part 306—Summary of Labeling Requirements for Biodiesel Fuels
top

(Part 1 of 2)

Fuel typeBlends of 5 percent or lessBlends of more than 5 but not more than 20 percent
HeaderTextColor
BiodieselNo label requiredEither “B-XX Biodiesel Blend” or “Biodiesel Blend”contains biomass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5 percent and 20 percentBlue
Biomass-Based DieselNo label requiredEither “XX% Biomass-Based Diesel Blend” or “Biomass-Based Diesel Blend”contains biomass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5 percent and 20 percentOrange

(Part 2 of 2)

Fuel typeBlends of more than 20 percentPure (100%) Biodiesel or Biomass-Based diesel
HeaderTextColorHeaderTextColor
BiodieselB-XX Biodiesel Blendcontains more than 20 percent biomass-based diesel or biodieselBlueB-100 Biodieselcontains 100 percent biodieselBlue
Biomass-Based DieselXX% Biomass-Based Diesel Blendcontains more than 20 percent biomass-based diesel or biodieselOrange100% Biomass-Based Dieselcontains 100 percent biomass-based dieselOrange

[73 FR 40164, July 11, 2008]

Browse Previous | Browse Next