Portable Fuel Container
The Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act (CGBPA), as amended by the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2020 (PFCSA), requires portable containers of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel to conform to ASTM F2517 and are codified at 16 CFR part 1460. 16 CFR § 1460.3 identifies the latest Commission accepted version of ASTM F2517 that is mandatory.
The PFCSA requires the CPSC to promulgate a final rule to require flame mitigation devices in portable fuel containers that impede the propagation of flame into the container. As allowed by the PFCSA, the Commission determined that three existing voluntary standards meet the intent of PFSCA and will be mandatory. Pre-filled portable fuel containers are subject to the requirements of ASTM F3429-F3429M-20. Portable fuel containers sold empty (that are not safety cans) are subject to the requirements of ASTM F3326-21. Safety cans are subject to the requirements of either ASTM F3326-21 or section 18 of UL 30:2022.
Read-only copies of ASTM standards are available through ASTM’s CPSC reading room, or ASTM’s Reading Room.
Read-only copies of UL standards are available at UL’s Standards Sale Site by clicking “Browse and Buy Standards,” searching for UL 30, clicking “Digital View,” and signing in.
For more information, visit our Portable Fuel Container Business Guidance Page.
A liquid fuel is a fuel with a flash point less than 140 °F, which includes gasoline, kerosene, diesel, ethanol, methanol, denatured alcohol, or biofuels.
Manufacturers and importers of portable containers intended to be filled by retail vendors with gasoline, kerosene, or other petroleum distillates should review 16 CFR §§ 1500.83(a)(14) and 1500.14(b)(3) concerning labeling requirements.
Domestic manufacturers and importers of portable fuel containers subject to a mandatory requirement must issue a General Certificate of Compliance (GCC). The citation for portable gasoline containers is: “16 CFR part 1460 – Portable gasoline container.” The citation for flame mitigation devices in portable fuel containers should reference the applicable voluntary standard used for testing. For more information on certificates, visit our GCC business guidance page.