42 USC § 17021 - Biomass-based diesel and biodiesel labeling

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s17021"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 17021 - Biomass-based diesel and biodiesel labeling"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "17021"
section_name: "Biomass-based diesel and biodiesel labeling"
chapter_number: 152
chapter_name: "ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "ENERGY SECURITY THROUGH INCREASED PRODUCTION OF BIOFUELS"
part_number: "A"
part_name: "Renewable Fuel Standard"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 110–140, title II, § 205, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1529.)"
---


# § 17021. Biomass-based diesel and biodiesel labeling

**(a)** **In general** Each retail diesel fuel pump shall be labeled in a manner that informs consumers of the percent of biomass-based diesel or biodiesel that is contained in the biomass-based diesel blend or biodiesel blend that is offered for sale, as determined by the Federal Trade Commission.

**(b)** **Labeling requirements** Not later than 180 days after December 19, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission shall promulgate biodiesel labeling requirements as follows:

**(1)** Biomass-based diesel blends or biodiesel blends that contain less than or equal to 5 percent biomass-based diesel or biodiesel by volume and that meet ASTM D975 diesel specifications shall not require any additional labels.

**(2)** Biomass-based diesel blends or biodiesel blends that contain more than 5 percent biomass-based diesel or biodiesel by volume but not more than 20 percent by volume shall be labeled “contains biomass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5 percent and 20 percent”.

**(3)** Biomass-based diesel or biodiesel blends that contain more than 20 percent biomass based or biodiesel by volume shall be labeled “contains more than 20 percent biomass-based diesel or biodiesel”.

**(c)** **Definitions** In this section:

**(1)** **ASTM** The term “ASTM” means the American Society of Testing and Materials.

**(2)** **Biomass-based diesel** section 13220(f) of this title

The term “biomass-based diesel” means biodiesel as defined in .

**(3)** **Biodiesel** The term “biodiesel” means the monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from plant or animal matter that meet—

**(A)** the registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives under this section; and

**(B)** the requirements of ASTM standard D6751.

**(4)** **Biomass-based diesel and biodiesel blends** The terms “biomass-based diesel blend” and “biodiesel blend” means a blend of “biomass-based diesel” or “biodiesel” fuel that is blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 110–140, title II, § 205, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1529.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after , see , set out as a note under , The Congress.