VLS marks 10 years since incorporation with interview

PMF is pleased to present part one of an interview with VLS Chairman, Mike Bewsey, in order to mark 10 years since the company’s incorporation.

Q. Mike, thanks for talking to PMF for this 10-year anniversary special – how would you describe VLS’ work in the sector over the last decade?

A. “Over the past 10 years, VLS has become an integral part of the automotive aftermarket. Our goal has always been to uphold the highest standards in the UK lubricants industry and to protect and educate end-users. Since 2013, we have investigated 89 lubricant complaints, from low temperature properties through to compliance with industry standards and OEM specifications concerning a variety of applications, including engine oils, gear oils and industrial lubricants. We believe that lubricants manufacturers and marketers are now paying more attention to what they blend and claim and that companies realize that if they think a product is making false or inaccurate claims, they can report it to VLS, where it will be robustly investigated.

“Additive companies have also commented that more companies are contacting them about Candidate Data Packs and the technology test results required to support marketing claims. That behaviour change demonstrates that VLS is successfully raising awareness and education so that suppliers know just how important it is to check and evidence the claims they are making.”

Q. What has surprised you the most during the last 10 years?

A. “Mistakes or oversights are easily made, even by large organisations. Many of the businesses subject to investigations have been grateful to VLS for highlighting errors that they have been able to address before significant issues arose. Our role is to encourage compliance amongst members and the wider sector rather than penalise non-compliance. The lack of understanding in some companies has been of concern; however, the appetite of members and the board to work together for the greater good of everyone in the industry has been very welcome.”

Q. What challenges have VLS had to overcome to appease any doubters?

A. “In the beginning, there were many challenges. There was no blueprint from across the world that we could replicate in the UK. VLS was a first for the sector. To succeed, the organisation had to have teeth and be able to enforce change – but on what legal basis? We had to ensure the investigation process was anonymous and rigorous enough to be respected. We had to persuade member companies to donate their experts’ time, so that we could access the skills we needed to confidentially and anonymously analyse product test reports and make valid, reliable case determinations. Companies were understandably concerned about the robustness of the process in which we would ask them to become involved.

“After months of discussion and advice, with the correct process and professional indemnity insurance in place, VLS was ready to accept its first case. Since then, publishing the outcome of the cases on the website – including where member companies have been investigated – has helped to improve the industry’s understanding of how compliance could be achieved and allowed VLS to operate with total transparency.”

Q. Has VLS adapted its approach?

A. “The VLS process remains broadly the same as it was 10 years ago, but we have adapted to changes in the market. After an influx of cases regarding misleading marketing claims, VLS produced guidance on marketing claims in 2019 to bring greater clarity to members on what VLS considered to be valid performance claims.

“VLS also published guidance on presubmission test protocols where it would accept the test results of parties making product complaints ahead of the case being accepted under a strict set of guidelines.

“In 2022, VLS began a proactive approach to product testing. The number of cases reported to VLS dropped post- COVID 19, so the board decided to supplement the cases it received with test reports published by an independent laboratory based in North America, which undertook routine product compliance testing on a regular basis on products available in a variety of markets, including the UK. Several cases were opened and investigated as a result.

“Also, in 2022, VLS amended its verification process so that if, during an investigation, VLS finds issues of noncompliance which fall outside the original case complaint, then these will be brought to the attention of the named party, who will be asked to address these areas. At the six-month review stage, if these ‘advisories’ have not been addressed, then the fact that there were advisories which were brought to the attention of the named party had not been addressed, these will be published along with the case outcome. This enables us to ensure that all areas of concern are addressed, not just those raised in the initial complaint.

“VLS has also developed a Primary Authority relationship with Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards. Working in partnership, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards now assist VLS in ensuring that VLS can work collectively with statutory authorities on improving compliance amongst members and the wider sector. It also provides VLS with an escalation route to local Trading Standards Authorities. It has also reviewed all of VLS’ advice and guidance issued so that it is endorsed, supported and approved by Trading Standards.”

Keep an eye out for part two of this interview!