---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17021"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17021"
heading: "Biomass-based diesel and biodiesel labeling"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17021"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter II — Energy Security Through Increased Production of Biofuels"
  - "Part A — Renewable Fuel Standard"
---

# §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—** The term “biomass-based diesel” means biodiesel as defined in [section 13220(f) of this title](/usc/42/13220.md?p=f).
  - (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.

## Source credit

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

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.