VLS celebrates a year of progress

VLS celebrates a year of progress despite a challenging lubricants market. 

This year proved to be another challenging one in the increasingly complex oils and lubricants market. Over the past twelve months, independent membership body VLS, the Verification of Lubricant Specifications, has opened 20 cases to investigate complaints about a range of passenger vehicle and heavy-duty engine oils, including 0W-20s, a 0W-30, and several 5W-30s. Every single one of those cases has been related to conflicting or unevidenced OEM approvals, and in some cases, non-compliance with ACEA sequences and low temperature properties as well. Some of the cases have been resolved; however, most remain under investigation.

In October, VLS 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. “The specification was initially launched in July 2023 and revised in June 2024”, commented VLS Chairman, Darren Frogson. “Four products have been approved against the 2023 specification and have until June 2026 to be re-approved against the 2024 revision. However, our research identified more than twenty other brands making product claims against this specification.

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. By taking a proactive stance, we can identify if these companies have the evidence required to support their product claims against the specification.”

During the year, VLS issued two safety warnings relating to brake fluid and hydraulic fluid, as well as escalated these and an engine oil case for action, after the company involved failed to take sufficient action during the VLS investigation process.

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, expensive repairs and unhappy customers. All of which could have been avoided. Mechanics and vehicle owners must be able to have continued confidence in the lubricant products they use in their vehicles.

Partially or untested additives were another market development causing concern. During the year, experts at Lubrizol, a major global organisation supplying additive technology to lubricant blenders, uncovered several issues with some engine oils labelled ‘Suitable for Use’ (SFU) through scientific testing, including piston failure, significant increases in viscosity, enough to impact the oil’s ability to circulate efficiently within the engine, inadequate oil flow at low temperatures, a higher risk of sludge buildup, and seal degradation.

“At VLS, we recognise that SFU oils can be excellent quality products and meet the requirements of OEM specifications and the ACEA engine oil sequences they claim against,” Darren continued. “However, like any marketing claim, marketers must be able to back it up with valid technical data and the support of their technology provider.

The concern is that some products may be using partially or untested additive packs, a market development that VLS has been following closely over the past twelve months. As a result, VLS, is working with our European partners at SAIL/ATIEL and UEIL, to publish Additive Pack Guidance. The guidance will clearly state the difference between tested and untested additive packs and that, regardless of the additive pack type, the lubricant marketer holds full legal responsibility for all product performance claims.

While additive companies are responsible for providing available performance test data and the right technology to support the claims being made, the ultimate legal liability rests with the marketer. If the additive supplier cannot supply adequate performance test data, then the onus is on the blender and/or marketer to conduct their own testing to substantiate any performance claims. Lubricant marketers must ensure their claims are fully supported by credible, comprehensive technical data, which can be provided on request.”

Amidst the challenges, Automechanika was an industry highlight, with thousands of visitors making their way through the doors of the NEC. “It was a pleasure to speak to mechanics directly about some of the challenges they face and to hear their stories, such as engine oil freezing when oil change guidelines haven’t been followed,” Darren said. “They see first-hand the impact of our work to educate and protect lubricant end users.

At the show, VLS launched its customer survey data, highlighting the confusion between marketing claims such as OEM-approved and meets the requirements, and the concerning propensity of some workshops still to focus on price when selecting engine oils. It is essential that mechanics are educated on the importance of oil selection, particularly for today’s increasingly complex vehicles.

“Having become Chairman at the end of September, I am passionate about our independent organisation’s work to maintain a fair and open lubricants market that benefits end users,” Darren concluded. “I am keen to support VLS members and the wider lubricants industry through the transition to net zero, with its increasingly complex vehicle parc, and to maintain VLS’s track record in managing non-compliance and supporting end users.

As we approach 2026, just four years remain until the sale of new purely internal combustion engine (ICE) cars will be banned by the UK government, and just nine years remain for full and plug-in hybrid vehicles to be sold, which have become such a popular choice for new vehicle registrations. At VLS, we will continue to work diligently to uphold industry standards, so that end users can have continued confidence that the products they select for use in customer vehicles are fit for purpose and deliver what they claim.”