[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR306.12]

[Page 327-329]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
                   CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
 
PART 306_AUTOMOTIVE FUEL RATINGS, CERTIFICATION AND POSTING--Table of 
Contents
 
Sec. 306.12  Labels.

    All labels must meet the following specifications:
    (a) Layout--(1) For gasoline labels. The label is 3 (7.62 
cm) wide x 2\1/2\ (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\ (.64 cm) 
between the top border and the first line of text, \1/8\ (.32 
cm) between the first and second line of text, \1/4\ (.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 (7.62 cm) wide x 2\1/2\ 
(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 (2.54 cm) deep. Spacing of 
the fuel name is \1/4\ (.64 cm) from the top of the label and 
\3/16\ (.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\ (.32 cm) from the bottom of the black 
band. All type below the black band is centered horizontally, with \1/
8\ (.32 cm) between each line. The bottom line of type is \3/
16\ (.48 cm) from the bottom of the label. All type should 
fall no closer than \3/16\ (.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 (7.62 cm) wide x 2\1/2\ (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 (2.54 cm) deep. Spacing of the fuel 
name is \1/4\ (.64 cm) from the top of the label and \3/
16\ (.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\ (.48 cm) from the bottom of the black 
band. All type below the black band is centered horizontally, with \1/
8\ (.32 cm) between each line. The bottom line of type is \1/
4\ (.64 cm) from the bottom of the label. All type should 
fall no closer than \3/16\ (.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.

[[Page 328]]

    (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 12\1/2\ points. The line ``(R+M)/2 METHOD'' is set in 
10 point Helvetica Bold, all capitals, with letterspace set at 10\1/2\ 
points. The octane number is set in 96 point Franklin gothic condensed 
with \1/8\ (.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\ (1.27 cm) cap 
height) ``Helvetica Black,'' knocked out of a 1 (2.54 cm) 
deep band. The type for the words ``MINIMUM'' and the principal 
component is 24 pt. (\1/4\ (.64 cm) cap height.) The type for 
percentage is 36 pt. (\3/8\ (.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\ 1.27 cm) cap height) ``Helvetica 
Black,'' knocked out of a 1 (2.54 cm) deep band. All other 
type is 24 pt. (\1/4\ (.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.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC29SE91.039


[[Page 329]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC29SE91.040


[58 FR 41375, Aug. 3, 1993]