VLS Bulletin – December 2023 – VLS 010167
VLS 010167 – Toyota First 5W-30 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil
On 25th November 2020 the case was reported to VLS.
The complaint concerned a number of conflicting, mutually exclusive or incompatible OEM claims for which VLS believed that no market general technology exists.
VLS made an early notification of the complaint to Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, who are also the home authority to the Named Party, as the case had come before VLS previously for different non-compliances all of which were resolved with the Named Party and it was reported that following the initial complaint being resolved, obsolete or outdated TDS and marketing support materials were found to be circulating in support of the product. In response, Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards acted as a mediator in the complaint.
VLS procured and tested a sample of the product to validate the claims made on the product label. While VLS had concerns over the combination of claims made for this product, it was also concerned about the blanket coverage implied for all models from some manufacturers such as Ford and GM.
In response to its findings, VLS asked the Named Party through Trading Standards, to consult their Technology Provider to ensure that they have robust data to back up any claims made and seek their advice regarding more specific and appropriate claims for their product which should be reflected in all labelling and marketing of the product.
VLS then received a copy of the revised product label via Trading Standards with a rewritten list of OEM claims. VLS then followed this up with a request for a copy of the product’s Technical Data Sheet (TDS) which was reviewed by the Technical Review Panel in an anonymised form.
VLS believed that the revised label wording addressed all aspects of the original complaint and therefore in this respect the case can be closed.
On the 19th May 2023, VLS entered into a constructive and positive dialogue with the Named Party who agreed to review the claims made on the product with the supplier against those supported by the technology provider. Following this review the claims were rationalised and amended to the satisfaction of VLS. At the Named Party’s suggestion, a six-month review of the product was undertaken in October 2023.
On the 30th October 2023, a six-month review of the case was undertaken with the cooperation of the Named Party who have withdrawn the product from the marketplace, and consequently the case was closed.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.”
November 2023
