Information Bulletin RLCF-004: Labelling Requirements

Last updated on September 29, 2026

This information bulletin was originally issued January 2011.

Last revised and current as of February 2024.

Introduction

To ensure consumers have the information to make informed decisions regarding the fuel they buy for their vehicle, fuel suppliers are to apply labels to the dispensing equipment if the fuel has the potential to impact the warranty of the vehicle engine.

The Ministry included labelling requirements in section 7.3(3) of the Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements Regulation that came into effect on January 1, 2011. That regulation has since been repealed and the labelling requirements, though unchanged, are now in sections 5 and 6 of the Low Carbon Fuels (Technical) Regulation (the Regulation), which came into effect on January 1, 2024.

This document is intended to provide guidance on the labelling and consumer notification requirements for suppliers of ethanol blended gasoline and/or biodiesel blended diesel. Following this guidance will ensure suppliers of ethanol and biodiesel blended fuels comply with sections 5 and 6 of the Regulation and sections 11(a) and 11(b) of the Low Carbon Fuels Act.

Applicability

Section 5(1) of the Regulation requires anyone supplying gasoline with ethanol content greater than 10% or diesel with biodiesel content greater than 5% to:
Decision chart for fuel suppliers: if equipment displays fuel volume and price, affix and maintain a compliant label near the display, per Regulation 5(2). If it does not, provide the consumer with a document stating the fuel’s biodiesel or ethanol content as a percentage or range, per Regulation 5(3)

Note: Failure to label or notify as required could result in either an administrative penalty or prosecution as an offense. Administrative penalties result in a fine of up to $500 for each infraction, while prosecution as an offence may result in a fine of up to $200,000 and/or six months in jail.

Label design requirements

Section 6 of the Regulation outlines the durability, dimensions, colour, font, and required content if a label is required per section 5(2) of the regulation.

Durability

The label must be able to withstand extremes of weather for at least one year and be resistant to water, automotive fuel (gasoline or diesel), oil, grease, solvents and detergents.

Dimensions, colours and font

The label must be at least 7.5 cm wide and 6.5 cm high and divided into two horizontal bands as follows:

DIMENSIONS, COLOURS AND FONT
Label Section	Minimum Height	Background Colour	Text Colour	Font
Top Band	2.5 cm	Black	Ethanol: non-fade orange: PMS 1495¹ Biodiesel: non-fade blue: PMS 277²	18-point minimum Arial Bold Or Helvetica Bold
Bottom Band	4.0cm	Ethanol: non-fade orange: PMS 1495¹ Biodiesel: non-fade blue: PMS 277²	Black	18-point minimum Arial Bold Or Helvetica Bold
¹PMS 1495 = Pantone 1495 C Colour, equivalent to RGB(255,143,28)
²PMS 277 = Pantone 277 C Colour, equivalent to RGB(171,202,233)

Approved labels

The label must set out, as a percentage or range of percentages, the portion of biodiesel or ethanol contained in the blended fuel using words or expressions that are approved by the director or as published in a publicly accessible website maintained on behalf of the minister (see the below examples).

Infographic showing required fuel labels for gasoline with more than 10% ethanol and diesel with more than 5% biodiesel. Each section shows two label options: one stating the exact percentage and one stating a percentage range.

This information is for your convenience and guidance only and does not replace or constitute legal advice. It is recommended that parties who may be a fuel supplier review the Low Carbon Fuels Act, Low Carbon Fuels (General) Regulation and the Low Carbon Fuels (Technical) Regulation and seek independent legal advice to confirm their status, legal obligations and opportunities.

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