UEIL Technical and Competition Committee Interview with Oliver Kaye, UEIL TC/CC Coordinator
Tell me a little about the TC/CC and what it stands for:
The UEIL TC/CC is a merger between two UEIL committees – Technical Committee and Competition Committee. We seek to defend a free market and promote fair competition. We do this by opening cases to investigate and seek redress where there are barriers to technical information or when there are barriers to choice being erected between competing products.
The TC/CC is a cornerstone of UEIL, as it directly defends its interests and those of its members, whether it be through gentle persuasion to publish information or if needed then through legal routes.
We have a members from the across the Europe representing SME interests, from both the automotive and the industrial sectors.
What is your role within the Committee? I am the TC/CC co-ordinator, which means that I run the day a to day operations and secretariat work of the Committee as well as lead on the communications with external organisations, such as equipment manufacturers, national authorities or EU representatives.
What are the main challenges for your members? In 2024 we successfully closes 4 cases, where after action by us the OEMs made available information. However, it is too often too little too late, as they are already moving to the next generation of specifications and there is a frustration at the length of time to resolve complaints.
There is also an increase in number of complaints, in part owing to a proliferation of ‘OEM specifications’ which will slowly eliminate independent activities by not allowing free and fair access to the required technology. Meanwhile, many technology suppliers not as willing to assist our members against large OEM’s as they have been in the past. Furthermore, there is the placing of secondary barriers such as ‘field trials’ or ‘testing’ which excludes our members.
Generally speaking, there is a lack of transparency by OEM’s that are protecting an alternative revenue stream and effectively excluding independents though the above actions.
What can be done from a regulatory point of view?
Firstly, we need better enforcement by national authorities of existing regulatory frameworks to protect small and independent organisations to enable them to continue their long-term viability, employment of people and freedom of choice.
We also need to strengthen EU Regulations such as Access to Repair and Maintenance Information which provides for free and fair access to technical data underpinning lubricant specifications that should be available to UEIL members, and the EU MVBER which allows third party actors to provide OEM matching quality parts to the automotive sector, particularly the aftermarket, allowing UEIL members to participate fully in the sector with certain assurances and safeguards.
What are the upsides? Working and collaborating with dedicated and diverse people from around Europe who are all actively seeking a level playing field in terms of anti-competitive activity, not only for TC/CC but within their own national associations.
It is interesting to hear how the small independent companies, who make up our organisation, are innovating and competing with large multinational companies.
It is great to see companies giving the time of their employees to take part in improving the marketplace for everyone in the industry. They maintain very high standards within the industry and I rely on them to give me the technical expertise I need to be able to carry out my role.
What’s next for 2025?
Day to day, we will be challenging cleverly worded technical specifications which appear at first glance to comply with the regulations, but in fact do not give the necessary information as well as an increasing focus on Chinese OEMs who are growing in market share. We will also actively participate in the review of the MVBER taking place this year.
More broadly, we would also like to look beyond Europe and increase collaboration with global partners in 2025.
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.185 FEBRUARY 2025 53
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