NCWM Withdraws Nozzle Standardization Proposal; Continues Dispenser Filter and Biodiesel Disclosure Issues

NATSO said the proposal to standardize nozzle dispenser colors could cause confusion in the marketplace by creating a patchwork of requirements across the country since some states do not automatically adopt NCWM standards.
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The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) withdrew a proposal to standardize nozzle colors at its Interim meeting last week, while opting to keep other agenda items of interest to fuel retailers as "informational" to be discussed once again at its annual meeting in July.  Those issues pending as "informational" include a proposal to require fuel suppliers to provide disclosure of biodiesel content to downstream blenders and retailers and a proposal to require a 10 micron filter on diesel fuel dispensers. 

NATSO, along with SIGMA, the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA), the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) played an active role in last week's discussions.

NATSO said the proposal to standardize nozzle dispenser colors could cause confusion in the marketplace by creating a patchwork of requirements across the country since some states do not automatically adopt NCWM standards. NATSO and other fuel retail groups also said there is no evidence that the proposal would help mitigate vehicle misfueling. In a related issue, the NCWM will vote in July on whether to require a minimum nozzle spout size for diesel of no less than 23.63 mm (0.930 in.) in an effort to help mitigate misfueling where diesel is sold on fuel islands primarily serving gasoline-powered vehicles.

NATSO asked NCWM to withdraw its diesel dispenser filter proposal, saying it would cause clogging and diminish dispenser flow rates by as much as 50 percent, slowing refueling time for drivers. NCWM will continue to seek additional information on the proposal at its July meeting.  Additionally, NCWM hopes a working group that has been formed on the issue of whether fuel suppliers must disclose biodiesel content to downstream parties will help the conference and stakeholders find consensus on this issue at its next meeting.

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