VLS Bulletin – December 2022 – VLS 010169
VLS 010169 – SCT Vertriebs GmbH Mannol 5W-30 Diesel Engine Oil
On 08/06/2021 the case was reported to VLS.
The product complaint concerned the way the specifications have been laid out on the Technical Data Sheet so that was alleged not to be clear whether any of these specifications are met, exceeded or official approvals held by the product. The Technical Review panel asked for the Named Party to review this Technical Data Sheet with their technology provider to ascertain what claims the product is capable of meeting, update the TDS where appropriate and submit to VLS confirmation from the technology provider that any remaining claims are fully technically supported.
The second part of the complaint concerned a third party distributor website where the complainant felt it was wrong that and misleading that the product claims were being listed as being approvals when no approvals are listed on the datasheet.
The Named Party reviewed and updated the Technical Data Sheet and also held a meeting with the third party distributor, who amended the claims on the website from formal approvals to marketing claims. Labels of the product were also sent to VLS and a copy of the internal database for the product held by the Named Party was provided to VLS as evidence of which claims were being supported.
VLS undertook a six month review of the case. As part of the review VLS found that the approvals previously listed on the distributor website had remained amended as recommendations, and the list of recommendations had been amended to a far more realistic set. VLS considers that the product is in continued compliance at the six months stage and is content to finalise the investigation and close the case.
David Wright, Company Secretary – VLS (UK) Ltd says “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. By working with the sector to resolve non compliant products in an independent and impartial manner, we can support companies to compete on a more equitable basis in a highly competitive marketplace.”
December 2022
