The latest VLS lubricant investigations
Harald Oosting, the chairman of the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS), informs us about the latest lubricant investigations.
In 2023, VLS marked 10 years of upholding standards in the lubricants industry. Fast forward 12 months, and whilst we have made good progress, there is still work to be done to uphold standards and protect end users in the lubricants industry.
To date, we have investigated 121 cases. Twelve months ago, the figure stood at 90. In just one year, we have seen a rise in case investigations of 34%. In the past two years, we have opened 39 investigations, more than in the preceding six-year period.
The vast majority of investigations continue to relate to passenger vehicle engine oils. This indicates not only the size of the market in comparison to other sectors but also the level of complexity required to serve this consumer-orientated market.
Non-compliance with stated specifications remains the most frequent cause of complaint. However, conflicting or unevidenced OEM approvals, noncompliance with industry standards and low temperature properties have all increased their share of overall complaints in the past 12 months. In 2024 to date, half of the cases opened have related to conflicting or unevidenced OEM approvals.
Whether it be compliance with ACEA, the European Engine Oil Sequences, other market standards or conflicting or unevidenced OEM approvals, it is vital that end users can be confident that a product can deliver what it claims and is suitable for use in the given application.
OEM specifications evolve over time, and marketers must be vigilant and regularly audit products, technical data sheets, and claims to ensure that products are in continued compliance; for example, VW 504.00/507.00 has kept the same specification reference, but some tests behind it have been updated, and the severity limits have changed. Companies cannot assume that just because a product met a specification at a given time, it will continue to do so during the product’s lifetime. Only regular auditing and testing through comprehensive quality management processes can ensure that products remain compliant.
Our objective is always to bring products into compliance, and in many cases, this has been achieved. Products have been reformulated, affected stock removed from the market, technical data sheets and other marketing materials have been amended and updated as required. However, several cases have also been referred to Trading Standards due to noncompliance. Our Primary Authority relationship with Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, which both organisations entered into in 2020, has proved effective in concluding certain cases where escalation by exception has been required to prompt action.
‘Immense change and pace shows no sign of abating’
EVs now have a much larger share of the vehicle parc, even if sales have stalled recently. Hybrid vehicles place immense stress on lubricants, with longer warm-up times and engines starting at high speeds and high revs once battery power has been exhausted. Lower viscosity fluids have continued to become more commonplace, but the vehicle parc is ageing. The latest 0W-8 oil could cause damage in an older vehicle, which requires a 5W-40, starving the engine of the protective lubricant film it needs and leading to increased wear.
Additives play a vital part in lubricant performance, delivering a variety of characteristics to combat wear and corrosion, and disperse the build-up of deposits. Along with the proliferation of lubricant products in general, we are concerned about the number of new companies entering the additives market. Their additives may be cheaper, but they may also not be fully tested or approved. This market development is one we are monitoring closely, as additives are a critical aspect of lubricant formulations.
We continue to be incredibly grateful to the members of the technical review panel and their organisations for their support. Without their expertise and our robust, anonymous process, we would not have the skills and resources to adequately investigate products and work with lubricant blenders, manufacturers, and distributors to assist them in taking the required action to bring products into compliance and protect end users.
Keep an eye out for part two of this article!
