VLS
VLS 010172 – 5W-30 Passenger Car Automotive Engine Oil
On 27/05/2022 the case was reported to VLS.
The case complaint concerned the self-certifying claim made against ACEA C3 (Low SAPS engine oil) and its incompatibility with the marketing claim made against VW 502.00/505.00 (Mid SAPS engine oil) due to mutually exclusive chemical limits. It was also alleged that the Named Party was not registered under the European Engine Lubricant Quality Management System (EELQMS) marketer’s letter of conformance (LoC).
The Named Party’s blender provided information from the Technology Provider confirming that the claims made against ACEA C3 and VW 502.00/505.00 were fully justified at the time of sampling. The Named Party’s blender also confirmed that the parent company is registered with SAIL through an ATIEL lubricant marketer’s Letter of Conformance and subsequently their self-certifying claims made against the ACEA engine oil sequences are fully permissible. Consequently VLS considered that the product was fully in compliance and there was no case to answer.
Are You Ready?
This year lubricant marketers face a number of deadlines they need to take account of in maintaining compliance with ACEA engine oil sequences and ensuring the validity of claims made against OEM specifications.
The ACEA 2021 light duty engine oil sequences were launched in April 2021 with first claims allowable from 1st May 2021, and the sequences became mandatory for all new claims from 1st May 2022, one year later. This year on the 1st May 2023 it is not permitted to make any claims against the preceding engine oil sequences, ACEA 2016 for light duty engine oils.
Similarly in May 2022, the ACEA 2022 heavy-duty engine oil sequences were launched. First claims against these new sequences were allowable from 1st May 2022, and the sequences will become mandatory for all new claims from 1st May 2023.
VLS undertook a six month review of the product in January 2023, and its investigation found that the product remained in compliance at the six month stage. Consequently the investigation was complete and the case closed.
David Wright, Company Secretary of VLS said “We want to ensure we have the highest standards in Europe for lubricant manufacture, blending and marketing, and we want a ‘level playing field’ for all participants, so that we protect the interests of the consumer and other end users.
In the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (UK) Ltd, we have set our course for stronger industry self-regulation by working positively towards more open and transparent competition that benefits all lubricant organisations.”
http://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-outcomes/
However marketers have until 1st May 2024 to continue to make existing claims against the ACEA 2016 heavy-duty engine oil sequences for all claims which preceded the launch of ACEA 2022, heavy-duty engine oil sequences.
VLS is also recommending that marketers also take the opportunity to audit all product claims made against OEM specifications. With a number of new specifications released by OEMs over the past few years, and others withdrawn it is essential that marketers remain on top of any existing or new claims to ensure their product performance claim continue to be compliant.
This audit should include a review of those claims which are currently being made, against the lubricant additive packs being supplied by your technology provider to ensure ongoing validity. Whether it is RN 0700, MB 229.31 or VW 504 00/507 00, all claims should always be supported by your technology provider who can provide technical specifications or a letter of assurance to validate the claims being made.
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.174 APRIL 2023 59
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