Case bulletins
Verification of Lubricant Specifications Ltd (VLS (UK) Ltd) was set up in 2013 by the lubricants industry for the lubricants industry. A wholly owned subsidiary of UKLA Ltd, our mission statement is to provide an independent, credible and trusted means to verify lubricant specifications, thereby hoping to bring transparency to the UK lubricant marketplace and to protect and educate the end user.
VLS 010214 – Rock Oil Synthesis F 5W-30 ACEA A5/B5
On 18th July 2024 the case was accepted by VLS. VLS received a complaint concerning the above product which is available for sale in the United Kingdom, and its compliance against the performance claims listed based on its own stated technical specification.
The Complaint was as follows:-
When tested the product returned a Phosphorous content of 0.0921%. which exceeds the API SN specification of maximum 0.08%.
VLS upheld the claim based on its technical merits and procured and tested a sample of the product.
The test results on the independent sample were as follows:-
Phosphorous 0.0910% m/m.
The product is making a claim against API SN ‘Excluding Phosphorous’. Under API 1509, an oil marketer can’t just claim “SN excluding phosphorous” without also claiming API CH-4, CI-4 or CJ-4. If a claim is made against CH-4, CI-4 or CJ-4, then it is possible to claim SN without meeting and waive the phosphorous requirement. If the oil claims CK-4/ FA-4, then it is not possible to apply this “excluding phosphorous” waiver.
The typical properties for Phosphorous are as follows: Phosphorus Content ASTM D6443 % mass 0.10 Given that Rock Oil has taken appropriate action and the Phosphorous content of 0.1% meets the other claims listed, VLS is content to close the case on the basis that the API SN claim has been withdrawn in line with their commitments.
VLS therefore found that the product is not compliant against the claim API SN requiring a Phosphorous limit of a maximum of 0.08% m/m due to the absence of a claim against CH-4, CI-4 or CJ-4 .
The Lubricant Marketer relied on information from their technology provider in making the claim API SN (excluding Phosphorous). However, the claim was not in accordance with API 1509 underpinning the API SN category. The Lubricant Marketer therefore responded by removing reference to API SN ‘Excluding Phosphorous’, in accordance with API 1509, but cited third party documentation that provided engine test data for an API SN performance that was used to support the original claim.
FORD M2C 913-D, M2C 913-C, M2C 913-B, M2C 913-A
RENAULT RN0700 VW 530 36
Continued on page 62 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.187 JUNE 2025 61
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