EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NEWS


Manufacturer's Quality Standard for Lubricants


'Joe Public's motor car, typically his second largest purchase and his pride and joy is being pur ar risk by unscrupulous con-merchants'. The problem is 'unfit lubricating oils' being sold to unsuspecting motorists.


Rod Parker, Executive Director


To pur rhis statement into perspective, rhe vast majority of lubricants sold into rhe UK consumer marker are genuine and in full compliance with their performance claims.


A sector has developed in rhe UK lubricants marker and probably elsewhere, which represents a significant minority tonnage, esrimared ar many rens of thousands of tonnes. Lubricants are being sold rhar do nor claim rhey meet any specification orher rhan rhey are moror oils of a certain viscosity, nor do rhey stare any limitation for their use.


As rhe majority of rhe purchasing public is unaware of whar to look for in a lubricant, rhey can easily make a mistake and buy what rhey think is a bargain! Bur, you ger what you pay for. The sellers of these 'unfit oils' don't warn motorists what happens ro rheir engine if rhey use rhe products in a posr 1960 motor car and rhese oils are definitely nor whar rhey appear ro be. These oils are mainly sold through high srreer shops and large rerail ourlers into rhe DIY marker.


Packs of rhe oils mentioned above have been examined; the results show that the oil's formulation has neither significant detergency nor anti-wear inhibitor (DI) additives. Some have a stock code number, which has a srriking resemblance to one of rhe API specifications' All have no label informing the purchaser of irs potentially damaging limitations. Modern cars would suffer severe damage from increased wear and corrosion if they used these oils because rhey don't offer sufficient protection as specified and demanded by car manufacturers.


Many of our readers will be aware rhar rhe Federation has, for whar seems an age, been barding to find a solution ro this very worrying problem.


Following discussions wirh HM Government about rhe problem, they have suggested we explore ways to introduce a UK or EU industry minimum standard. The new standard would cover the manufacture of lubrication products - linked to a suitable identity symbol or logo. In rhe longer rerm rhe standard could become an international standard.


We have set up a BLF Task Group ro explore the various options with UK National Standards Organisations. Our approach is likely to be very different ro rhe current API 'Srarbursr & donut' system and rhe ACEA - ATEIL protocols.


We envisage that the new standard will set controls ro: - - ensure a system for policing participants - ensure minimum levels of consumer information - provide traceability of products and their packages - ensure all data sheer & label information has been validated require all limitations of use to be clearly spelled our incorporate all rhe current and furure specification provisions


In a similar vein, consumers need to have confidence in top specification lubrication products, such as ACEA or API performance claims, especially for unfamiliar brand names. Currently I am rold that ir is doubtful whether some product claims could be validated from rhe requisite data sers of engine rest results and formulation derails, yer rhese products still purport to be genuine certified products. This is another issue for the Task Group.


Rod Parker


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