WASHINGTON (July 17, 2013) — The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued uniform recommendations for motor oil information on invoices.
These uniform standards mandate that the SAE oil ratings, brand and weight are to be placed on a customer's invoice. Twenty states have automatically adopted the standards while others do so by administrative regulation.
According to the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the standards became effective July 1 for states that approve, and are outlined in a section known as the Uniform Regulation for the Method of Sale of Commodities. Those regulations state:
• 2.33.1—Labeling of Vehicle Engine (Motor) Oil: Vehicle engine (motor) oil shall be labeled.
• 2.33.1.1—Viscosity: The label on any vehicle engine (motor) oil container, receptacle, dispenser or storage tank, and any invoice or receipt from service on an engine that includes the installation of vehicle engine (motor) oil dispensed from a receptacle, dispenser or storage tank, shall contain the viscosity grade classification preceded by the letters "SAE" in accordance with SAE International's latest version of SAE J300, "Engine Oil Viscosity Classification."
More information about these uniform recommendations—and to determine a state's status in the process—is available on the ASA's legislative website.