VLS investigation into engine oils making claims against the Stellantis FPW 9.55535/03 specification underway
The Verification of Lubricant Specifications (UK) Ltd has launched a widespread market investigation and issued a caution over engine oils making claims against the Stellantis FPW 9.55535/03 specification, used by vehicles including Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Vauxhall and Opel models.
Earlier this year, VLS identified a concern regarding claims against the specification, which was initially launched in June 2023 and revised in June 2024. Four products have been approved against the 2023 specification and have until June 2026 to be re-approved against the 2024 revision. However, research identified more than twenty other brands making product claims against this specification.
VLS believed that the technology to support this specification was not yet widely available to the general market. Industry experts were concerned that claims to meet the specification might be being made without the support of the additive company or technology provider, or in the absence of the supporting technical performance data to demonstrate that the formulation can meet the specification.
VLS has now proactively contacted several companies to request evidence to support their product claims against the specification. Two cases are already under investigation, including Case 010233. In this case, the lubricant marketer has responded to VLS’s concerns, and the Technical Review Panel are considering the marketer’s response.
Commenting on the warning, Darren Frogson, VLS Chairman, said, “This matter is not just one of ‘technicality’. It really matters. Using oils that fail to meet the requirements of the intended specifications can cause accelerated wear to engines, reduce the effectiveness of emission control systems, invalidate warranties, and ultimately result in long term engine damage. Lubricant marketers and distributors need
to be acutely aware of the risks associated with supplying products that fail to meet the required standard.”
“It is imperative that vehicle owners can continue to have confidence in the lubricant products used in their vehicles. VLS is deeply concerned about this market development, which is why the Board decided to conduct a comprehensive market investigation and issue a caution about products claiming to meet this specification.”
Alan Outhwaite, Chairman of the VLS Technical Review Panel, added: “The VLS process is objective, without bias and transparent. As part of our investigation, we have written to all brand owners and blenders of products identified as making this claim seeking assurance that they can meet the specification and that the claim is supported by their technology provider and demonstrating full technical data to underpin the claim. If any products are found to be non-compliant, the investigation findings will be published on the VLS website, with non-compliant products reported to Trading Standards where necessary.”
You can keep up to date with VLS investigations at their website.
ukla-vls.org.uk/
Protecting you and your
workshop
Verification of Lubricant Specifications is an independent trade body here to protect you by investigating performance claims made on lubricant products so that you and your customers can be assured that the oils you use are what they say and can do what is claimed.
If you have concerns about a lubricant, report them to us at 01442 875922 or
admin@ukla-vls.org.uk
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.190 DECEMBER 2025
55
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
