Pennsylvania § 4187.3 - Automotive Fuel Testing and Disclosure Program.

§ 4187.3. Automotive Fuel Testing and Disclosure Program.

(a) Authorization.--The department may establish and implement the Automotive Fuel Testing and Disclosure Program to provide for the testing of automotive fuel on a random, unannounced basis.

(b) Duties of department.--The department may enforce the provisions of this subchapter and shall have the following authority:

(1) Take samples of automotive fuel for testing of its octane rating wherever it is offered or exposed for sale or use or sold by a retailer in this Commonwealth. When testing occurs, it shall be coordinated with the testing required for proper volumes of gasoline.

(2) Inspect and test on a random, unannounced basis and upon consumer complaint. If the octane rating of a tested automotive fuel does not match the octane rating as displayed on the fueling dispenser, the automotive fuel sample shall be tested in accordance with the methods of the ASTM or other test methods adopted by the FTC under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (Public Law 95-297, 15 U.S.C. § 2801 et seq.) to ensure that the motor fuel sample is in compliance with the motor fuel specifications of the ASTM.

(3) Maintain records of all inspections.

(4) Inspect the labeling of automotive fuel dispensers and storage tanks at retail businesses or locations where the products are sold or offered or exposed for sale or use.

(5) Enter into contractual agreements with qualified laboratories as a cost-saving measure for the purpose of analyzing automotive fuel samples, if the octane level of the automotive fuel is questioned.

(6) Promulgate regulations as necessary for the enforcement and administration of this subchapter. All regulations adopted by the FTC under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to govern the certification, disclosure, posting and labeling of automotive fuel before, on or after the effective date of this section are adopted as regulations in this Commonwealth and shall remain in effect unless subsequently modified by regulations promulgated by the department.

(c) Sealers of weight and measures.--

(1) The department may enter into agreements with any city or county for which a sealer has been appointed for the enforcement of provisions of this subchapter and of rules or regulations promulgated under this subchapter.

(2) The sealer of a city or county shall have the same authority and shall perform the same duties within the city or county as are granted to and imposed upon the department with respect to the inspection, testing and taking of automotive fuel samples.

(3) The agreement shall provide that any revenues generated pursuant to enforcement activities carried out by the sealer of the city or county shall be retained by the city or county.