Title 16: Commercial Practices
PART 306—AUTOMOTIVE FUEL RATINGS, CERTIFICATION AND POSTING
Label Specifications
§ 306.12 Labels.
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 is 1/4&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). 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 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, 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.
(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 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 3/16&inch; (.48 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 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. 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.
(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 121/2 points. The line “(R+M)/2 METHOD” is set in 10 point Helvetica Bold, all capitals, with letterspace set at 101/2 points. The octane number is set in 96 point Franklin gothic condensed with 1/8&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. The background color on all the labels is Orange: PMS 1495. The knock-out type within the black band is orange PMS 1495. 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.
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[58 FR 41375, Aug. 3, 1993]
