WSR 07-02-105

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


[ Filed January 3, 2007, 10:56 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-19-096 and 06-19-097.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing to adopt motor fuel (including biofuel) quality and labeling standards. Specifically, this includes:

     (1) Adopting the Uniform Engine Fuels, Petroleum Products, and Automotive Lubricants Regulation published in NIST Handbook 130 (with modifications in accordance with chapters 19.94 and 19.112 RCW); and

     (2) Modifying the existing modifications listed in WAC 16-662-115 to the Uniform Regulation for the Method of Sale of Commodities requirements, as published in NIST Handbook 130.

     This proposal does not address automotive lubricants.

     Hearing Location(s): Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Natural Resources Building, 2nd Floor, Conference Room 259, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, on February 15, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: February 21, 2007.

     Submit Written Comments to: Henri Gonzales, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, e-mail hgonzales@agr.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2094, by February 15, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Henri Gonzales by February 8, 2007, TTY (360) 902-1996 or (360) 902-2061.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: During the 2006 legislative session, legislation was passed relative to biofuels. RCW 19.112.020 was amended to require fuel pumps offering biodiesel and ethanol blends to be identified by a label stating the percentage of biodiesel or ethanol. RCW 19.112.020(2) also states that the director may adopt rules about labeling and standards for, and identity of, motor fuels. These amendments to the rules are necessary to protect consumers, and to assist industry by providing uniformity for motor fuel quality and labeling.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapters 19.112 and 34.05 RCW.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 19.94 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Washington state department of agriculture, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Kirk Robinson, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1856.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. RCW 19.85.030 (1)(a) requires that an agency must prepare a small business economic impact statement (SBEIS) for proposed rules that impose a more than minor cost on businesses in an industry. The department has analyzed the economic effects of the proposed revisions and has concluded that they do not impose a more than minor cost on small businesses in the regulated industry and, therefore, a formal SBEIS is not required.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The Washington state department of agriculture is not a listed agency under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i).

January 3, 2007

Mary A. Martin Toohey

Assistant Director


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-01-115[A], filed 12/20/06, effective 1/20/07)

WAC 16-662-105   What national weights and measures standards are adopted by the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA)?   The WSDA adopts the following national standards:


National standard for: Contained in the:
(1) The specifications, tolerances, and other technical requirements for the design, manufacture, installation, performance test, and use of weighing and measuring equipment 2007 Edition of NIST Handbook 44 - Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices
(2) The procedures for checking the accuracy of the net contents of packaged goods Fourth Edition (January 2005) of NIST Handbook 133 - Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods
(3) The requirements for packaging and labeling, method of sale of commodities, ((and the)) examination procedures for price verification, and engine fuels, petroleum products and automotive lubricants 2006 Edition of NIST Handbook 130 - Uniform Laws and Regulations in the areas of legal metrology and engine fuel quality, specifically:
(a) Weights and measures requirements for all food and nonfood commodities in package form Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation as adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and published in NIST Handbook 130, 2006 Edition
(b) Weights and measures requirements for the method of sale of food and nonfood commodities Uniform Regulation for the Method of Sale of Commodities as adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and published in NIST Handbook 130, 2006 Edition
(c) Weights and measures requirements for price verification Examination Procedure for Price Verification as adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and published in NIST Handbook 130, 2006 Edition
(d) Definitions and requirements for standard fuel specifications; classification and method of sale of petroleum products; retail storage tanks; condemned products; product registration; and test methods and reproducibility limits Uniform Engine Fuels, Petroleum Products, and Automotive Lubricants Regulation as adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and published in NIST Handbook 130, 2006 Edition

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 19.94 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-115A, § 16-662-105, filed 12/20/06, effective 1/20/07; 06-08-102, § 16-662-105, filed 4/5/06, effective 5/6/06; 05-10-088, § 16-662-105, filed 5/4/05, effective 6/4/05; 04-12-025, § 16-662-105, filed 5/26/04, effective 6/26/04; 03-08-017, § 16-662-105, filed 3/25/03, effective 4/25/03. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.94 RCW. 02-12-029, § 16-662-105, filed 5/29/02, effective 6/29/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.94.195. 01-16-005, § 16-662-105, filed 7/19/01, effective 8/19/01; 00-14-005, § 16-662-105, filed 6/23/00, effective 7/24/00; 99-07-056, § 16-662-105, filed 3/16/99, effective 4/16/99; 98-13-072, § 16-662-105, filed 6/15/98, effective 7/16/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.94 RCW. 97-12-075, § 16-662-105, filed 6/4/97, effective 7/5/97.]

     Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.

OTS-9473.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-10-088, filed 5/4/05, effective 6/4/05)

WAC 16-662-100   What is the purpose of this chapter?   (1) This chapter establishes requirements for the state of Washington that are reasonably consistent with the uniform rules adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and that are in effect in other states.

     (2) This chapter applies specifically to the:

     (a) Uniform specifications, tolerances and other technical requirements for weighing and measuring devices addressed in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) NIST Handbook 44;

     (b) Uniform procedures for checking the net contents of packaged goods addressed in NIST Handbook 133;

     (c) Uniform packaging and labeling regulation addressed in NIST Handbook 130;

     (d) Uniform regulation for the method of sale of commodities addressed in NIST Handbook 130; ((and))

     (e) Uniform examination procedure for price verification addressed in NIST Handbook 130; and

     (f) Engine fuels, petroleum products, and automotive lubricants regulation addressed in NIST Handbook 130.

     (3)(a) NIST Handbook 44, NIST Handbook 130 and NIST Handbook 133, may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. They are also available on the National Institute of Standards and Technology web site at http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/230/235/owmhome.htm.

     (b) For information regarding the contents and application of these publications, contact the weights and measures program at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, Washington 98504-2560, telephone number 360-902-1857, or e-mail wtsmeasures@agr.wa.gov.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 19.94 and 34.05 RCW. 05-10-088, § 16-662-100, filed 5/4/05, effective 6/4/05; 03-08-017, § 16-662-100, filed 3/25/03, effective 4/25/03. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.94 RCW. 97-12-075, § 16-662-100, filed 6/4/97, effective 7/5/97.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-10-088, filed 5/4/05, effective 6/4/05)

WAC 16-662-115   Does the WSDA modify NIST Handbook 130?   The WSDA adopts the following modifications to the Uniform Regulation for the Method of Sale of Commodities requirements published in NIST Handbook 130, identified in WAC 16-662-105 (3)(b):


((Modified Section: Modification:
(1) Section 2.20 Gasoline-Oxygenate Blends Delete Section 2.20 because the requirements for this subject are addressed in RCW 19.94.505 and chapter 16-657 WAC
(2) Section 2.23 Animal Bedding Add a new subsection, which reads as follows:
2.23.1 Sawdust, Barkdust, Decorative Wood Particles, and Similar Products. -- As used in this subsection, "unit" means a standard volume equal to 200 cubic feet. When advertised, offered for sale, or sold within Washington state, quantity representations for sawdust, barkdust, decorative wood particles, and similar loose bulk materials must be in cubic measures or units and fractions thereof.))

Modified Section: Modification:
(1) Section 2.20. Gasoline-Oxygenate Blends Modify section 2.20.1. Method of Retail Sale - Type of Oxygenate must be Disclosed, to read: All automotive gasoline or automotive gasoline-oxygenate blends kept, offered, or exposed for sale, or sold at retail containing at least 1.5 mass percent oxygen shall be identified as "with" or "containing" (or similar wording) the predominant oxygenate in the engine fuel. For example, the label may read "contains ethanol." The oxygenate contributing the largest mass percent oxygen to the blend shall be considered the predominant oxygenate. Where mixtures of only ethers are present, the retailer may post the predominant oxygenate followed by the phrase "or other ethers." In addition, gasoline-methanol blend fuels containing more than 0.15 mass percent oxygen from methanol shall be identified as "with" or "containing" methanol. This information shall be posted on the upper fifty percent of the dispenser front panel in a position clear and
conspicuous from the driver's position in a type at least 12.7 mm (1/2 in.) in height, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.) stroke (width of type). Methanol at one percent or greater, by volume, in gasoline for use as motor vehicle fuel must be labeled with the maximum percentage of methanol contained in the motor vehicle fuel. Ethanol at no less than one percent and no more than ten percent, by volume, must be labeled "Contains up to 10% Ethanol." Ethanol at greater than ten percent by volume must be labeled with the capital letter E followed by the numerical value volume percent denatured ethanol and ending with the word "Ethanol." (Example: E85 Ethanol.)
Modify section 2.20.2. Documentation for Dispenser Labeling Purposes, to read: At the time of delivery of the fuel, the retailer shall be provided, on an invoice, bill of lading, shipping paper, or other documentation a declaration of the predominant oxygenate or combination of oxygenates present in concentrations sufficient to yield an oxygen content of at least 1.5 mass percent in the fuel. Where mixtures of only ethers are present, the fuel supplier may identify the predominant oxygenate in the fuel (i.e., the oxygenate contributing the largest mass percent oxygen). In addition, any gasoline containing more than 0.15 mass percent oxygen from methanol shall be identified as "with" or "containing" methanol. This documentation is only for dispenser labeling purposes; it is the responsibility of any potential blender to determine the total oxygen content of the engine fuel before blending. When ethanol and/or methanol is blended at one percent or greater, by volume, in gasoline for use as motor vehicle fuel, documentation must include the volumetric percentage of ethanol and/or methanol.
(2) Section 2.23. Animal Bedding Add a new subsection, which reads: 2.23.1 Sawdust, Barkdust, Decorative Wood Particles, and Similar Products. As used in this subsection, "unit" means a standard volume equal to 200 cubic feet. When advertised, offered for sale, or sold within Washington state, quantity representations for sawdust, barkdust, decorative wood particles, and similar loose bulk materials must be in cubic measures or units and fractions thereof.

     The WSDA adopts the following modifications to the Uniform Engine Fuels, Petroleum Products, and Automotive Lubricants Regulation requirements published in NIST Handbook 130, identified in WAC 16-662-105 (3)(d):


Modified Section: Modification:
(1) Section 2.12. Motor Oil Delete section 2.12.
(2) Section 2.13. Products for Use in Lubricating Manual Transmissions, Gears, or Axles Delete section 2.13.
(3) Section 2.14. Products for Use in Lubricating Automatic Transmissions Delete section 2.14.
(4) Section 3.2.6. Method of Retail Sale. Type of Oxygenate must be Disclosed Modify section 3.2.6 to read: All automotive gasoline or automotive gasoline-oxygenate blends kept, offered, or exposed for sale, or sold at retail containing at least 1.5 mass percent oxygen shall be identified as "with" or "containing" (or similar wording) the predominant oxygenate in the engine fuel. For example, the label may read "contains ethanol." The oxygenate contributing the largest mass percent oxygen to the blend shall be considered the predominant oxygenate. Where mixtures of only ethers are present, the retailer may post the predominant oxygenate followed by the phrase "or other ethers." In addition, gasoline-methanol blend fuels containing more than 0.15 mass percent oxygen from methanol shall be identified as "with" or "containing" methanol. This information shall be posted on the upper fifty percent of the dispenser front panel in a position clear and
conspicuous from the driver's position in a type at least 12.7 mm (1/2 in.) in height, 1.5 mm (1/16 in.) stroke (width of type). Methanol at one percent or greater, by volume, in gasoline for use as motor vehicle fuel must be labeled with the maximum percentage of methanol contained in the motor vehicle fuel. Ethanol at no less than one percent and no more than ten percent, by volume, must be labeled "Contains up to 10% Ethanol." Ethanol at greater than ten percent by volume must be labeled with the capital letter E followed by the numerical value volume percent denatured ethanol and ending with the word "ethanol" (example: E85 Ethanol).
(5) Section 3.2.7. Documentation for Dispenser Labeling Purposes Modify section 3.2.7 to read: The retailer shall be provided, at the time of delivery of the fuel, on an invoice, bill of lading, shipping paper, or other documentation, a declaration of the predominant oxygenate or combination of oxygenates present in concentrations sufficient to yield an oxygen content of at least 1.5 mass percent in the fuel. Where mixtures of only ethers are present, the fuel supplier may identify the predominant oxygenate in the fuel (i.e., the oxygenate contributing the largest mass percent oxygen). In addition, any gasoline containing more than 0.15 mass percent oxygen from methanol shall be identified as "with" or "containing" methanol. This documentation is only for dispenser labeling purposes; it is the responsibility of any potential blender to determine the total oxygen content of the engine fuel before blending. When ethanol and/or methanol is blended at one percent or greater, by volume, in gasoline for use as motor vehicle fuel, documentation must include the volumetric percentage of ethanol and/or methanol.
(6) Section 3.8.2. Retail Dispenser Labeling Modify section 3.8.2 to read: Each retail dispenser of not less than one percent and not more than ten percent, by volume, fuel ethanol must be labeled "Contains up to 10% Ethanol." Each retail dispenser of greater than ten percent fuel ethanol by volume must be labeled with the capital letter E followed by the numerical value volume percent denatured ethanol and ending with the word "ethanol" (example: E85 Ethanol).
(7) Section 3.9.2. Retail Dispenser Labeling Modify section 3.9.2 to read: Each retail dispenser of fuel methanol shall be labeled by the capital letter M followed by the numerical value maximum volume percent and ending with the word "methanol." (Example: M85 Methanol.)
(8) Section 3.13. Oil Delete section 3.13.
(9) Section 3.14. Automatic Transmission Fluid Delete section 3.14.
(10) Section 3.15.2. Labeling of Retail Dispensers Containing between 5% and 20% Biodiesel Modify section 3.15.2 to read: 3.15.2. Labeling of Retail Dispensers Containing not More Than 5% Biodiesel. Each retail dispenser of biodiesel blend containing not less than two percent and not more than five percent biodiesel must be labeled "Contains up to 5% Biodiesel." 3.15.2.1. Retail dispensers containing less than two percent biodiesel may not be labeled as dispensing biodiesel or biodiesel blends.

Delete section 3.15.2.2.

(11) Section 3.15.3. Labeling of Retail Dispensers Containing more than 20% Biodiesel Modify section 3.15.3 to read: 3.15.3. Labeling of Retail Dispensers Containing More Than 5% Biodiesel. Each retail dispenser of biodiesel or biodiesel blend containing more than five percent biodiesel must be labeled with the capital letter B followed by the numerical value representing the volume percentage of biodiesel fuel and ending with either "biodiesel" or "biodiesel blend" (examples: B100 Biodiesel; B60 Biodiesel blend).
(12) Section 3.15.5. Exemption Delete section 3.15.5.
(13) Section 7. Test Methods and Reproducibility Limits Add a new subsection that reads: 7.3 Biodiesel Blends - The test method for determining the percent biodiesel in a blend of biodiesel and diesel fuel shall be EN 14078 "Liquid petroleum products - Determination of fatty methyl esters (FAME) in middle distillates - Infrared spectroscopy method." When ASTM develops a comparable standard test method, the ASTM method will become the standard method for purposes of this rule.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 19.94 and 34.05 RCW. 05-10-088, § 16-662-115, filed 5/4/05, effective 6/4/05; 03-08-017, § 16-662-115, filed 3/25/03, effective 4/25/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.94.195. 98-13-072, § 16-662-115, filed 6/15/98, effective 7/16/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.94 RCW. 97-12-075, § 16-662-115, filed 6/4/97, effective 7/5/97.]

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