Skip to the main content of the page

Market Access

​​​Gasoline dispenser labeling requirements

A gasoline dispenser is required to have a yellow label for each grade of gasoline sold clearly displaying its Anti-Knock Index as required by Federal Trade Commission regulations and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 603-027-0430 (2)(a)).

  • The octane posting requirement for gasoline is found in 16 CFR 306.10(c) "Automotive Fuel Rating Posting".
  • The design requirements for gasoline labels are found in 16 CFR 306.12(a)(1), (b)(1), and (c)(1). A sample layout is given in 16 CFR 306.12 (f)(1).
  • When gasoline containing 10% ethanol is sold through a motor fuel dispenser, that dispenser is required to clearly display a label stating that the fuel contains 10% Ethanol. The label is not permitted to read "Contains up to 10% Ethanol" or any similar language (OAR 603-027-0430 (1)(C)).
  • When gasoline exempt from the ethanol mandate is sold through a motor fuel dispenser then that dispenser is required to display "NON-ETHANOL BLENDED GASOLINE FOR EXEMPTED USE ONLY (ORS 646.913)" and explain the exemptions allowed by law (OAR 603-027-0430 (1)(E)). This requirement does not apply to gasoline having an Anti-Knock Index rating of 91 or greater.

Diesel dispenser labeling requir​ements

Diesel fuel​

  • The dispenser must be labeled "Diesel" and accurately describe the grade of fuel offered. For example, "Diesel No. 2-D S15". This applies to both retail and non-retail dispensers.
  • These labels shall be located on each face and on the upper 50% of the dispenser front panels in a position clear and conspicuous from the driver's position, with letters 1/2 inch height with 1/16 inch line width.

Winterized diese​l fuel

  • The dispenser must be labeled "Winterized Diesel" and accurately describe the grade of fuel offered. For example, "Winterized Diesel No. 2-D S15". This applies to both retail and non-retail dispensers.
  • These labels shall be located on each face and on the upper 50% of the dispenser front panels in a position clear and conspicuous from the driver's position, with letters 1/2 inch height with 1/16 inch line width. A pump topper may be used to advertise winterized diesel fuel.

Premium diesel fuel

  • The dispenser must be labeled "Premium Diesel" and accurately describe the grade of fuel offered. For example, "Premium Diesel No. 2-D S15". This applies to both retail and non-retail dispensers.
  • These labels shall be located on each face and on the upper 50% of the dispenser front panels in a position clear and conspicuous from the driver's position, with letters 1/2 inch height with 1/16 inch line width.

E85/ethanol blend requirem​ents

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requirements:

  • 16 CFR 306.10
    • (a) requires that that motor fuels are sold with an appropriate motor fuel rating certification.
    • (b) requires a dispenser label to be clearly displayed on the motor fuel dispenser disclosing the fuel rating.
    • (f) provides some example fuel rating disclosures for commonly available fuels.
      For E85, the rating is "E-85/Minimum 51% Ethanol"
  • 16 CFR 306.12
    • (b)(2) provides the layout requirements for the E-85 label.
    • (c)(2) provides the background color requirement (Orange PMS 1495).
    • ​(f) provides a sample layout. The M-85 layout is very close, however the fuel rating would reflect a minimum of 51% ethanol, not 85% ethanol.

In addition to the FTC required E-85 label, Oregon Administrative Rule requires:

  • Additional label to be placed on the dispenser reading "For Use in Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) Only” visible from the driver's position. The label must be clear and conspicuous and located in the upper 50% of the dispenser face. The type must be at least 1/2 inch tall. (OAR 603-027-0430(8)(B))
  • Additional label to be placed on the dispenser reading "Consult Vehicle Manufacturer Fuel Recommendations” visible from the driver's position. The type must be at least 1/4 inch tall. (OAR 603-027-0430(8)(C))

Ethanol gasoline blends other than E85

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requirements:

  • 16 CFR 306.10
    • (a) requires that that motor fuels are sold with an appropriate motor fuel rating certification.
    • (b) requires a dispenser label to be clearly displayed on the motor fuel dispenser disclosing the fuel rating.
    • (f) provides some example fuel rating disclosures for commonly available fuels.
      For an ethanol gasoline blend the fuel identification is a capitol "E" followed by a number indicating the volume percent ethanol contained in the blend. E30, for example, will have 30% ethanol and 70% gasoline. The fuel rating disclosure is "E-30/Minimum 27% Ethanol". The minimum results from the fact that fuel ethanol itself contains up to 0.8% denaturant or at least 92% ethanol. 30% x 0.92 = 27.6%. A label for 100% fuel ethanol will read "E-100/Minimum 92% Ethanol".
  • 16 CFR 306.12
    • (b)(2) provides the layout requirements for the E-85 label.
    • (c)(2) provides the background color requirement (Orange PMS 1495).
    • (f) provides a sample layout.

Biodiesel and biodiesel blend dispenser requirem​ents

Each fuel dispenser through which biodiesel, or biodiesel blends in excess of 5%, must be labeled with an FTC approved label. These requirements are found in 16 CFR 306:

  • 306.12(a)(2) and (a)(3) define the layout of the label
  • 306.12(a)(4) contains the requirements for those biodiesel blends having between 6% and 20% biodiesel
  • 306.12(a)(5) for biodiesel blends in excess of 20%

Advertising fuel grades on a b​oulevard sign

The law requiring all grades of fuel to be displayed on the boulevard sign was relaxed in 2011 to make room for alternative fuels. You are only required to show the lowest grade and the lowest price if you chose to advertise fuel prices on a boulevard sign. See ORS 646.930 for sign requirements.

Resources​​​​​

Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certification and Posting

16 CFR Part 306: Notices, Press Releases, and Public Comments

Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance Information Center

ULSD Compliance Information Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance website

Code of Federal Regulations - Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certifications and Posting

16 CFR Part 306: Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certifications and Posting

Complying with the FTC Fuel Ratings, Certifications and Posting Rule

Guidance from the Federal Trade Commission. Complying with the FTC Fuel Rating Rule

Federal Trade Commission and EPA ethanol fuel labels (E15 and E85)

EPA ethanol fuel label requirements

Fuel Tax Posting Information

Handout document for federal, state, city, seasonal, etc. fuel tax posting information Fuel tax posting information

Oregon required Ethanol Sign (For Flex Fuel Vehicles Only)

Oregon required Ethanol sign

Sample Federal Trade Commission compliant ethanol fuel labels

Sample ethanol labels showing label size and required edge setbacks. Ethanol fuel label examples

Sample Federal Trade Commission compliant octane label

Sample octane label showing label size and required edge setbacks. Octane fuel label example

​​

​​
​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​

C​o​ntact​

​​