VLS Bulletin – November 2021 – VLS 010168
VLS 010168 – MPM International Oil Company , MPM branded products (various)
On 02/02/2021 the case was reported to VLS.
The case concerned the claim that the products carried formal OEM approvals from Mercedes-Benz when no evidence could be provided that this was in fact the case, and there was no evidence on the official MB approvals list that the products had been formally approved.
The products were as follows;
MPM Gearbox Oil 75W-80 GL-4 Prem Synth ECO, product number 18001ECO
MPM Gearbox Oil 75W-90 GL-3/4/5 Premium synthetic TDL, product number 18000G
MPM Gearbox Oil 75W-140 GL-5 Premium Synthetic Limited Slip Special, product number 18000S LS
MPM Gearbox Oil 75W-85 GL-5 Premium Synthetic FE, product number 18000M
MPM ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid Dexron III-F/G, product number 16000
MPM ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid FM+, product number 16000FM
MPM ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid Suffix A, product number 17000
MPM Power Steering Fluid MB, product number 50000MB
MPM LCF Level Control Fluid MB 344.0, product number 50000MBL
VLS worked with the Named Party to revise the product claims from formal approvals to marketing claims ‘according to the specifications of..’ which has been reflected in the products’ labels, website descriptions and the Technical Data Sheets.
Following a six month review of the case VLS found that the marketing claims ‘according to the specifications of’ are being maintained on both the relevant product pages and Technical Data Sheets. VLS believes that the products are in continued compliance at the six month stage.
David Wright, Company Secretary of VLS said “We want to ensure we have the highest standards in Europe for lubricant manufacture, blending and marketing, and we want a ‘level playing field’ for all participants, so that we protect the interests of the consumer and other end users.
In the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (UK) Ltd, we have set our course for stronger industry self-regulation by working positively towards more open and transparent competition that benefits all lubricant organisations.”
November 2021
