VLS Bulletin – July 2024 – VLS 010193
VLS 010193 – Exopro C2, C3 5W-30 LS-PRO
On 24th July 2023 the case was accepted by VLS.
VLS received a complaint alleging that the product claimed performance against VW 502.00/505.00 together with API SN and ACEA C2, C3. The Complainant said that the VW 502.00/505.00 specification is mutually exclusive with API SN on the 5W-30 viscosity grade due to the Phosphorus limits.
The Sulphated Ash limit, the Complainant also claimed, for the VW 502.00/505.00 is not compatible with ACEA C2, C3 SA limits. That the TBN of the product according to the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is 7.1 mgKOH/g which is below the VW 502.00/505.00 requirements of 10 mgKOH/g.
On this basis, the Complainant said that the product is confirmed to claim conflicting specifications and not meeting key performance requirements and, therefore, is misleading to the end consumer.
VLS reviewed and upheld the complaint for the reasons given above.
The Named Party referred the matter to their blender who confirmed that while the Named Party maintained that the VW 502.00/505.00 reference is just a recommendation not a formal claim, however the marketer is happy to remove this from product labelling going forward so that there is no clash of mid SAPS and high SAPS references on one label. In addition, the ACEA C2 specification will be removed in response to a VLS advisory concerning a possible conflict between ACEA C2 and VW 504 00/507 00.
Consequently VLS was satisfied that the product was brought back into compliance and the investigation was closed subject to the six-months’ review.
On 2nd July 2024 VLS undertook a six-month review in line with its’ stated process. VLS found that the case complaint had been met subject to an advisory concerning the claim against dexos2 which did not form part of the original complaint, and the case was closed.
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.”
July 2024
