Specifications And Labeling - Automotive Products - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 13710

This section focuses on ensuring the safety and quality of certain automotive fluids like engine coolants, antifreeze, and brake fluid. The department has to set safety standards for these products, which can't be lower than ASTM International's standards. Engine coolants and antifreeze must be free of visible sediment after being mixed with water. Methanol and ethanol coolants aren't allowed for car engines. Transmission fluids should meet the latest car manufacturer's standards, and their intended use must be clear on the label. Brake fluids also need to meet specific safety standards, and manufacturers must be able to prove any claims they make about their products upon request.

(a)

(1) The department shall establish specifications for engine coolants, antifreeze, prediluted engine coolants, and prediluted antifreeze that promote the public safety in the operation of motor vehicles.

(2) The chemical, physical, and performance specifications for engine coolants and antifreeze and prediluted engine coolants and prediluted antifreeze under paragraph (1) shall not fall below the minimum specifications, if any, established by ASTM International. Engine coolant and antifreeze shall not contain, after dilution with 30 percent water and subsequent mixing, visually identifiable suspended matter or sediment. Prediluted engine coolant and prediluted antifreeze shall not contain, after mixing, visually identifiable suspended matter or sediment.

(3) For purposes of this subdivision, the department shall adopt the ASTM International testing procedures. Methanol- and ethanol-based coolants and antifreeze are not suitable for use in automotive engines and shall not be sold or distributed for automotive use.

(b) Transmission fluid shall meet the latest automotive manufacturers’ recommended requirements for all transmissions disclosed on the label of its container. No transmission fluid shall be sold without clearly disclosing, on the label of its container, the type of transmission for which it is intended.

(c) The department shall establish specifications for brake fluid that promote the public safety in the operation of automotive vehicles. The specifications for brake fluid shall not fall below the minimum specifications established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation.

(d) Any manufacturer or packager of any product regulated by this chapter and sold in the state shall provide, upon request to duly authorized representatives of the department, documentation of any claim made upon their products’ label.

engine coolants antifreeze prediluted engine coolants ...

Section § 13711

This law outlines how labeling should be done for engine coolants, antifreeze, prediluted versions of these products, transmission fluid, and brake fluid to avoid being considered mislabeled. Key requirements include showing the brand name, main ingredient, intended use, quantity, freezing and boiling points, and not to use incorrect test equipment. Labels must have precise wording of 'engine coolant,' 'antifreeze,' or 'DO NOT ADD WATER' based on container size. Transmission fluid and brake fluid have their own labeling standards. Additionally, diesel exhaust fluid sales methods must comply with national standards, and any mislabeled or non-conforming products can be ordered off sale and disposed of by enforcement officers.

(a) An engine coolant or antifreeze is mislabeled if any of the following occurs:

(1) The container does not bear a label on which is printed the brand name, principal ingredient, intended application of the coolant or antifreeze, name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, seller, or distributor, and an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of liquid measure.

(2) The container does not bear a chart on the label showing appropriate amounts of engine coolant or antifreeze and water in terms of liquid measure to be used to provide protection from freezing at temperatures to at least 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

(3) The container does not bear a statement on the label showing the boiling point of a 50 percent by volume mixture of engine coolant or antifreeze and water in degrees Fahrenheit.

(4) The container is one quart or less and does not bear a label on which is printed the words “engine coolant” or “antifreeze” in letters at least ¹/₈ inch high on the principal display panel. The container is greater than one quart and does not bear a label on which is printed the words “engine coolant” or “antifreeze” in letters at least ¹/₄ inch high on the principal display panel.

(5) The principal ingredient is propylene glycol or glycerin and the container does not bear a statement on the label not to use an ethylene glycol hydrometer concentration tester for propylene glycol or glycerin coolants.

(6) The container and carton do not bear a lot or batch number on the label identifying the container lot and date of packaging.

(b) A prediluted engine coolant or prediluted antifreeze is mislabeled if any of the following occurs:

(2) The container does not bear a statement on the label showing the protection from freezing in degrees Fahrenheit.

(3) The container does not bear a statement on the label showing the boiling point in degrees Fahrenheit.

(4) The container is one quart or less and does not bear a label on which is printed the words “prediluted engine coolant” or “prediluted antifreeze” in letters at least ¹/₈ inch high on the principal display panel. The container is greater than one quart and does not bear a label on which is printed the words “prediluted engine coolant” or “prediluted antifreeze” in letters at least ¹/₄ inch high on the principal display panel.

(5) The container is one quart or less and does not bear a label on which is printed the words “DO NOT ADD WATER” in letters at least¹/₈ inch high. The container is greater than one quart and does not bear a label on which is printed the words “DO NOT ADD WATER” in letters at least ¹/₄ inch high.

(6) The principal ingredient is propylene glycol or glycerin and the container does not bear a statement on the label not to use an ethylene glycol hydrometer concentration tester for propylene glycol or glycerin coolants.

(7) The container and carton do not bear a lot or batch number on the label identifying the container lot and date of packaging.

(1) The container does not bear a label on which is printed the brand name, the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, seller, or distributor, the words “Transmission Fluid,” and the duty type classification.

(2) The container does not bear a label on which is printed an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of liquid measure.

(3) The labeling on the container is false or misleading.

(4) The container and carton do not bear information that identifies the container lot or batch.

(d) Brake fluid is mislabeled if any of the following occurs:

(1) The container does not bear a label that conforms to the requirements of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, United States Department of Transportation, and upon which is printed the brand name.

(2) The container does not bear an accurate statement on the label of the quantity of the contents in terms of liquid measure.

(3) The labeling on the container is false or misleading.

(e) The secretary shall establish the method of sale of diesel exhaust fluid sold at retail to the public. In doing so, the secretary shall adopt, by reference, the latest method of sale for diesel exhaust fluid adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and published in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 130 “Uniform Laws and Regulations in the Areas of Legal Metrology and Engine Fuel Quality,” except as specifically modified, amended, or rejected by regulation adopted by the secretary.

(f) If a container or lot of containers of any commodity subject to this chapter is found to contain a commodity not in conformity with this chapter, the sealer may take one or more samples reasonably necessary for enforcement purposes and may, in writing, order the containers off sale. Any lot or container ordered off sale pursuant to this section shall be subject to a disposal order by the enforcing officer and shall not be sold, offered for sale, or transported, except in accordance with that disposal order. Any action pursuant to this section shall not affect any rights of a retailer under a warranty of merchantability or warranty of fitness.

engine coolant antifreeze labeling prediluted antifreeze ...

Section § 13712

This law says that any container or device used for brake fluid, like those that fill or clean out a brake system, doesn't need to follow normal labeling rules. However, they must clearly label the contents as 'DOT____Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid' with the correct identification number, and the lettering must be at least one-eighth inch tall.

A brake fluid receptacle or dispensing device, including “bleeders,” pressurized containers, or any container used to fill a brake system or to expel air from the system after servicing, are exempt from the container labeling requirements in this chapter except for designation of the contents as “DOT____Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid” with the appropriate identification number filled in. The smallest letter and numeral shall not be less than one-eighth inch in height.

brake fluid receptacle dispensing device bleeders ...

Section § 13713

This law means that if a product does not meet the basic quality standards set by the department, it is considered adulterated, which could make it unsafe or not suitable for consumers.

Any product referred to in this chapter is adulterated if its characteristics fall below the specifications for that product established by the department as minimum standards.

adulterated product quality standards minimum standards ...