Handbook 130 – 2018 IV. Uniform Regulations

G. Uniform Engine Fuels and Automotive Lubricants Regulation

Page 1 of 3

NIST Handbook 130, “Uniform Laws and Regulations in the Areas of Legal Metrology and Engine Fuel 

Quality,” 2018 edition

Editorial corrections noted as followed with bold underscored text to indicate new language and bold strikeouts to 

indicate removed language.

G. Uniform Engine Fuels and Automotive Lubricants Regulation

Section 2. Standard Fuel Specifications

2.14. Products for Use in Lubricating Automatic Transmissions. – Transmission fluids shall meet the original 

equipment manufacturer’s requirements for those transmissions or have demonstrated performance claims to be 

suitable for use in those transmissions. Where a fluid can be licensed against an original equipment manufacturer’s 

specification, evidence of current licensing by the marketer is acceptable documentation of performance against the 

specification. In the absence of a license from the original equipment manufacturer, adherence to the original 

equipment manufacturer’s recommended requirements shall be assessed after testing per relevant methods available 

to the lubricants industry and the state regulatory agency. Suitability for use claims shall be based upon appropriate 

field, bench, and/or transmission rig testing. Any manufacturer of a transmission fluid making suitable-for-use claims 

shall provide, upon request by a duly authorized representative of the Director, credible documentation of such claims. 

If the product performance claims published by a blender and/or marketer are based on the claim(s) of one or more 

additive suppliers, documentation of the claims may be requested in confidence by a duly authorized representative 

of the Director. Supporting data may be supplied directly to the Director’s office by the additive supplier(s).

(Added 2004) (Amended 2017)

2.14.1. Conformance. – Conformance of a fluid per Section 2.14. Products for Use in Lubricating 

Transmissions does not absolve the obligations of a fluid licensee with respect to the licensing original equipment 

manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer’s licensing agent(s), where relevant.

(Added 2017)

2.14.2. Transmission Fluid Additives. – Any material offered for sale or sold as an additive to transmission 

fluids shall be compatible with the transmission fluid to which it is added, and shall meet all performance claims 

as stated on the label or published on any website referenced by the label. Any manufacturer of any such product 

sold in this state shall provide, upon request by a duly authorized representative of the Director, documentation 

of any claims made on their product label or published on any website referenced by the label.

(Added 2017)

Section 3. Classification and Method of Sale of Petroleum Products

3.14. Transmission Fluid.

3.14.1. Labeling and Identification of Transmission Fluid. – Transmission fluid shall be labeled or identified 

as described below.

(Added 2017)

3.14.1.1. Container Labeling. – The label on a container of transmission fluid shall not contain any 

information that is false or misleading. Containers include bottles, cans, multi-quart or liter containers, pails, 

kegs, drums, and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs). In addition, each container of transmission fluid shall 

be labeled with the following:
IV. Uniform Regulations Handbook 130 – 2018

G. Uniform Engine Fuels and Automotive Lubricants Regulation

(a) the brand name;

(b) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, seller, or distributor;

(c) the words “Automatic Transmission Fluid,” which may be incorporated into a more specific 

description of transmission type such as “Automatic Transmission Fluid” or “Continuously Variable 

Transmission Fluid”;

(d) the primary performance claim or claims met by the fluid and reference to where any supplemental 

claims may be viewed (e.g., website reference). Performance claims include by but are not limited 

to those set by original equipment manufacturers and standards setting organizations such as SAE 

and JASO and are acknowledged by reference; and

(e) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of liquid measure.

(Amended 2017)

3.14.1.2. Identification on Documentation. – Transmission fluid sold in bulk shall be identified on the 

manufacturer, packer, seller or distributor invoice, bill of lading, shipping paper, or other documentation with 

the information listed below:

(a) the brand name; 

(b) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, seller, or distributor; 

(c) the words “Transmission Fluid” which may be incorporated into a more specific description of 

transmission type such as “Automatic Transmission Fluid” or “Continuously Variable Transmission 

Fluid”; 

(d) the primary performance claim or claims met by the fluid or reference to where these claims may 

be viewed (e.g., website reference). Performance claims include but are not limited to those set by 

original equipment manufacturers and standards-setting organizations such as SAE and JASO and 

are acknowledged by reference; and

(e) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of liquid measure.

(Added 2017)

3.14.1.3. Identification on Service Provider Documentation. – Transmission fluid installed from a bulk 

tank at time of transmission service shall be identified on the customer invoice with the information listed 

below:

(a) the brand name;

(b) the name and place of business of the service provider; 

(c) the words “Transmission Fluid” which may be incorporated into a more specific description of 

transmission type such as “Automatic Transmission Fluid” or “Continuously Variable Transmission 

Fluid”; 

(d) the primary performance claim or claims met by the fluid or reference to where these claims may 

be viewed (e.g., website reference). Performance claims include but are not limited to those set by 

original equipment manufacturers and standards-setting organizations such as SAE and JASO and 

are acknowledged by reference; and 

(e) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of liquid measure.

(Added 2017)
Handbook 130 – 2018 IV. Uniform Regulations

G. Uniform Engine Fuels and Automotive Lubricants Regulation

Page 3 of 3

3.14.1.4. Bulk Delivery. – When the transmission fluid is sold in bulk, an invoice, bill of lading, shipping 

paper, or other documentation must accompany each delivery. This document must identify the fluid as 

defined in Section 3.14.2. Container Labeling.

(Added 2017)

3.14.1.5. Storage Tank Labeling. – Each storage tank of transmission fluid shall be labeled with the 

following:

(a) the brand name; 

(b) the primary performance claim or claims met by the fluid or reference to where these claims may 

be viewed (e.g., website reference). Performance claims include but are not limited to those set by 

original equipment manufacturers and standards-setting organizations such as SAE and JASO and 

are acknowledged by reference.

(Added 2017)

3.14.1.6. Documentation of Claims Made Upon Product Label. – Any manufacturer, packer, or 

distributor of any product subject to this article and sold in this state shall provide, upon request of duly 

authorized representatives of the Director, credible documentation of any claim made upon their product 

label, including claims made on any website referenced by said label. If the product performance claims 

published by a blender and/or marketer are based on the claim(s) of one or more additive suppliers, 

documentation of the claims may be requested in confidence by a duly authorized representative of the 

Director. Supporting data may be supplied directly to the Director’s office by the additive supplier(s).

(Added 2004) (Amended 2017)