These Regulations implement a common set of labels and identifiers for common transport fuels in the UK. They implement Article 7 of EU Directive 2014/94/EU on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure which standardises the labelling of types of motor vehicle fuel within the context of the UK.
Transport fuel sold in the UK has not been required to be accompanied by standardised labelling in the past. As the range of fuels available increases, there is an urgent need to implement a standardised labelling system that allows consumers to easily identify different fuels across different brands and countries will help reduce mis-fuelling incidents and encourage the uptake of alternative transport fuels.
Each fuel type has to have one or more identifier to be used clearly and legibly on the label. Rules are set out on what the identifiers should look like and how obligated parties should ensure they incorporate them into labels that consumers can use to identify different transport fuels. Where fuels such as petrol or diesel contains over 5 or 7 percent of ethanol or biofuel respectively, the phrase ‘Not suitable for all vehicles: consult vehicle manufacturer before use’ should be included in line with The Biofuel (Labelling) Regulations 2004 to ensure the user is aware of vehicle compatibility issues.
At the time there was no requirement for transport fuel sold in the UK to be accompanied by standardised labelling. As the range of fuels has increased at forecourts, and flexible car use models, such as car clubs, become more common, a standardised labelling system that allows consumers to easily identify different fuels across different brands and countries, would help reduce mis-fueling and further encourage the uptake of alternative transport fuels.
