VLS share its industry updates
PMF is pleased to interview Alan Outhwaite, head of the Verification of Lubrication Specifications (VLS) Technical Review Panel. In this interview, he provides an update on VLS cases, discusses industry trends and insights, and shares his optimism about the future collaboration between the organisation and motor factors.
Q. Why is the VLS an organisation that motor factors should look for?
A. VLS was formed in 2013 in response to concerns that some lubricant products were carrying claims that could not be adequately substantiated. In some cases, manufacturers may have misunderstood the technical requirements associated with those claims; in others, VLS considered that additional evidence was required to support the marketing statements being made.
A number of lubricant companies approached UK Trading Standards regarding these concerns. However, the highly technical nature of lubricant specifications and performance claims created challenges for investigation and enforcement. As a result, reputable lubricant manufacturers came together to establish VLS to verify lubricant specifications and help protect and educate end users.
Motor factors are distributors and, in some cases, marketers of lubricants. They play a vital role in the supply chain and are responsible for sourcing, marketing and distributing quality lubricants that are suitable for their intended applications.
Motor factors can look to VLS for advice, education on the complex engine oil market, and information about products that are being, or have been, investigated following complaints. In the most serious cases, VLS issues safety warnings to help motor factors make informed decisions and support their customers. Motor factors can sign up to receive the VLS newsletter to keep up to date with relevant news and case updates and can view cases on the VLS website.
Q. How can motor factors best utilise the information and cases under review by VLS to support workshops and, ultimately, the end-user?
A. We would recommend motor factors regularly check the VLS website, so they can see which products have been investigated and, in cases of non-compliance, which products have been escalated to Trading Standards for enforcement action.
Education is key; if motor factors understand the complexities of engine oil and the importance of engine oil selection, then they can better support workshops and end-users. Oil choice really matters; poor quality or the wrong oil can cause damage to emission control systems, accelerate wear in gears and bearings, lead to the formation of piston deposits and sludge, increased maintenance costs, and, if left unchecked, eventual engine failure.
VLS’ parent organisation, the United Kingdom Lubricants Association, runs regular lubricants training sessions, and motor factors are welcome to join them to find out more about this complex, changing category.
Q. There is only one national distributor part of the VLS – is membership open to independents too? If so, what are the benefits?
A. Membership is open to any company in the lubricants supply chain, including lubricant blenders, marketers, distributors, and motor factors. We welcome independent distributors, as well as national distributors, to become members and engage with our work to uphold standards in the lubricants industry and protect and educate end users.
By joining VLS, members are joining the lubricants industry’s initiative to bring transparency to the UK lubricant marketplace, to raise awareness in the consumer, and promote the importance of lubricant quality and performance specifications within the UK. VLS members also benefit from lower case charges if they wish to make a complaint about a product.
Members are encouraged to add the VLS membership logo to all customer-facing materials to demonstrate their commitment to upholding lubricant standards and protecting end users.
Q. What are the main reasons for products being put under review for VLS?
A. Since 2013, VLS has investigated 146 cases. The majority of cases have related to passenger vehicle engine oils; however, CV engine oils and other oils and fluids have continued to steadily increase in share as this market becomes more complex to meet stringent vehicle emissions regulations.
Non-compliance with ACEA specifications is the most frequent cause of complaint; however, conflicting or unevidenced OEM approvals, low temperature properties, and non-compliance with industry standards have all increased their share of overall complaints in recent years.
Q. You’re part of VLS’ Technical Review Panel – why is this such an important stage of the verification process?
A. The VLS Technical Review Panel is made up of experts from across the lubricants industry who have the necessary knowledge to investigate lubricant cases. They donate their time because they share the common goal of upholding standards in the industry and protecting end users.
Each case raised is anonymised by the Secretariat before it is passed on to the Supervisory Committee and Technical Review Panel to ensure that it is treated fairly and independently. Only the Secretariat knows who the named party and claimant are in each case during the investigation. VLS uses independent sampling and testing to verify complaints and engage with companies to bring products into compliance. All case outcomes are published to the VLS website.
Recently, the Technical Review Panel has introduced more stringent guidance on the use of marketing claims on lubricant packaging to ensure end users are protected. The move comes in response to several recent cases, many of which have involved lubricant products making misleading or incorrect claims. The updated guidance sharpens the definition of application recommendations, which should be accurate and able to be substantiated for all the applications detailed, and reinforces the need to register with SAIL if claiming to meet ACEA sequences.
Q. What do factors need to keep a particular eye on over the coming months?
A. We are expecting to see some disruption due to the Iran conflict, particularly a tightening of the supply of high-quality Group III base oils, widely used in SAE 5W and 0W engine oil formulations. This may cause price increases, plus supply chain and availability issues.
Factors should also be on alert for lower-cost engine oils that may appear on the market in response to rising fuel costs and engine oil prices. These oils may sound too good to be true and may be made with unapproved components. VLS is expecting a rise in cases.
