VLS Bulletin – March 2024 – VLS 010189
VLS 010189 – SARMAX VHVI Hydraulic Oils Range
On 5th June 2023 the case was accepted by VLS.
VLS received a complaint about the above range of products which was as follows;
The Product Data Sheet (PDS) listed ISO Grades 15, 22, 32, 46, 68 & 100:
The claim against Parker Denison HF-2, HF-1 & HF-0 are only applicable to ISO 32, 46 & 68
The claim against Fives-Cincinnati P-68, P-69 & P70 are only applicable on ISO 32, 46 & 68
The claim against Eaton E-FDGN-TB002-E is only applicable on ISO 32, 46 & 68
The claim against AIST 126 & 127 are only applicable on ISO 32, 46 & 68
The claim against SEB 18122 are only applicable on ISO 22, 32, 46, 68 & 100
The Bosch Rexroth RDE 90235 claim is not a market general specification and each viscosity grade must be submitted to Bosch Rexroth for formal approval. Is only applicable on ISO 32, 46 & 68.
VLS reviewed and upheld the complaint that the listed ISO viscosity are not applicable to all the OEM specifications listed. There is however one exception in that: E-FDGN-TB002-E is applicable for ISO 10 through to 150 grades.
VLS suggested that the Named Party had a rigorous dialogue with their technology provider and align on the appropriate claims that can be made against specific ISO viscosity grades and update the Technical Data Sheet accordingly.
In response the Named Party revised the Technical Data Sheet for the range of hydraulic oils. They reviewed the issues VLS raised with them in a letter of 5th July 2023, and following discussions with their technology partner, and the subsequent clarifications and amendments which resulted from these discussions, they amended the wording of the various claims made for these grades.
VLS also suggested they re-run the viscosity and density tests in their lab and amended/updated some of the viscosity and VI data to reflect the current formulations.
VLS reviewed the revised claims for the hydraulic oils range and was satisfied that the steps they have taken have brought the products back into compliance. Consequently, the investigation was closed subject to a six-month review in line with VLS’s stated process.
On 8th March 2024, VLS undertook a six-month review of the case in line with its stated process. VLS found that the steps taken by the Named Party to bring the product into compliance were maintained at the six-month stage and consequently the product remained in compliance, 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.”
March 2024
