VLS Newsletter – April 2023
Case Summary
Overall the number of cases stands at 86, with 9 products under investigation, 2 compliant during investigation, 2 compliant following investigation and 73 archived.
Case 010186 – concerns the low temperature properties of a 75W-90 Semi-Synthetic Gear Oil. VLS accepted the case on the 15th March 2023. The product has being sourced and is with the test house for testing.
Case 010185 – concerns the low temperature properties of a 75W-90 Fully Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid. The product has been sourced and the test results obtained on the 22nd March. The TRP have reviewed the results and have recommended a dialogue commence with the Named Party.
Case 010184 – concerns the low temperature properties of a 75W-90 automotive gear oil and is subject to testing. The product has been sourced and the test results obtained on the 22nd March. The TRP have reviewed the results and have recommended that a dialogue is commenced with the Named Party.
Case 010183 – concerns the low temperature properties of a 75W-90 automotive gear oil and is subject to testing. The product has been sourced and the test results obtained on the 22nd March. The TRP have reviewed the results and have recommended that a dialogue is commenced with the Named Party.
Case 010182 – concerns a hydraulic oil and its compliance against the DIN 51524 Part 2 standard. VLS is in correspondence with the Complainant regarding the availability of the product.
Case 010181 – concerns PCEO 5W-30. VLS is considering the appropriate testing that would support the complaint regarding the product.
Case 010180 – has been withdrawn.
Case 010179 – concerning 5W-40 engine oil and the mix of ACEA and OEM performance claims made on it. The case is subject to a six month review which was concluded on the 27th March and details passed to the Technical Review Panel for review.
Case 010178 – concerning 10W-40 engine oil and the performance claims made on it. VLS is in correspondence with the Named Party regarding the compliance of the product.
Case 010177 – the case is archived.
Case 010176 – concerning 0W-30 PCEO and the claims made against OEM specifications. The product has been retested, the test results have been received on the 28th March and passed to the Technical Review Panel for review.
Case 010175 – The product is in compliance. The case is subject to a six month review which was concluded on the 27th March and details passed to the Technical Review Panel for review.
Case 010174 – the case is archived.
Case 010172 – the case is archived.
Case 010171 – concerned claims for approvals made against OEM specifications with the investigation now concluded and the results published to the website. A six month review has been undertaken and the product remains in compliance, VLS has written to the Named Party seeking clarification on two other advisory matters not related to the initial complaint. The Named Party responded on the 21st March and the response was passed to the Technical Review Panel for review, which has now concluded.
Case 010167 – VLS has been in further dialogue with the Named Party and is seeking clarification on the claims supported by the technology provider to the product. The Named Party has confirmed which documented claims are supported by the technology deployed in the product and details of these supported claims were passed to the Technical Review Panel for review. On completion of the review the TRP were supportive of closing the case.
Case 010159 – remains under investigation and has been passed to UEIL regarding the claims made on a 5W-30 automotive engine oil. UEIL has written to the OEMs referenced on the product labelling who are pursuing the matter. UEIL have concluded their investigation into the matter and a bulletin is due to be issued.
To view the case outcomes, visit http://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-outcomes/
To raise a case with VLS, visit http://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-handling-process/
VLS can only investigate complaints made against products available on open sale in the UK. For case submission guidance visit https://ukla-vls.org.uk/publications/
Industry News
SMMT report that UK commercial vehicle production has faltered in February and declined by 21.6%.
ACEA The auto industry has called on EU leaders to act on eroding industry competitiveness.
The Department for Business and Trade is analysing feedback from the technical consultation on the Draft Order to renew the UK Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order effective 1st June 2023.
Department of Transport has concluded its consultation into extending the date for the MOT from 3 to 4 years, and is analysing the feedback.
The European Union (EU) Commission has published a proposal to exempt Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles running on e-fuels from the ban effective in 2035. The UK Government is considering a similar proposal.
The EU Commission has published proposals to strengthen the criteria for products making ‘green’; claims to avoid greenwashing.
The EU Commission is considering a reintroduction of the tariff-free quota on the import of Group II base oil at its working group in May in response to lobbying by the Belgium authorities.
The Council of Europe has adopted strengthened criteria for CO2 emissions for new cars and vans as part of its Fit for 55 package. The new rules set a 55% CO2 emission reduction target for new cars and 50% for new vans from 2030 to 2034 compared to 2021 levels, and 100% CO2 emission reductions for both new cars and vans from 2035.
UEIL the European association for the lubricants industry has published a press release concerning their work to develop a Product Carbon Footprint methodology for lubricants which is being developed in conjunction with ATIEL, the Technical Association of the European lubricants industry.
ILMA report that global automakers have switched from just-in-time to just-in-case strategy according to a survey.
CECRA report that the European Parliament had adopted the Data Act setting harmonised rules on accessing, sharing and using data generated by connected products, such as vehicles and related services.
Media Editorial
PMF Online February 2023, VLS advises against putting off essential oil changes.
Commercial Vehicle Workshop Online, February 2023. VLS discusses misleading marketing claims.
Commercial Vehicle Workshop magazine, March 2023. VLS warns of a rise in counterfeit lubricants due to the cost of living crisis. Page 24.
Autotechnician magazine, March 2023. VLS comments on avoiding the lube lies. Page 39.
Aftermarket magazine, March 2023. VLS warns of wave of counterfeit lubricants. Page 6.
Garagewire, March 2023. VLS warns of the risks of using the latest engine oils in ageing vehicles.
Transport Engineer, March 2023, Page 24. VLS Technical Review Panel Chairman Alan Outhwaite comments on extended oil drain intervals for trucks.
Garage Talk Online, March 2023. VLS warns of the risks of using the latest engine oil in ageing vehicles.
Garage and MOT magazine, March 2023. Industry braces for rise in counterfeit lubricants due to cost of living crisis.
Autorepair Focus, March 2023. Then right engine oil for older vehicles is crucial – VLS.
Lube magazine, April 2023. Will the cost-of-living crisis spark a rise in counterfeit lubes? VLS.
Media Advertising
Lube magazine, April 2023. Half page VLS advert, Page 57.
Aftermarket magazine, March 2023. Half page VLS advert, Page 17.
Autotechnician magazine, March 2023. Half page VLS advert, Page 45.
Garage and MOT magazine, March 2023. Half Page VLS advert, Page 29.
Events
ICIS World Base Oils Conference, Windsor, 3-5 May, 2023.
UEIL Congress, Manchester, 31 May to 2 June 2023.
Automechanika UK 6-8 June 2023, NEC, Birmingham. Visit VLS on Stand S60, Hall 19! To register for the event click here
Social Media
Twitter
To follow VLS on Twitter click here.
LinkedIn
To follow VLS on LinkedIn click here.
Stay Up To Date
If your media team would like access to VLS press releases, newsfeeds and notifications from our social media accounts, please email admin@ukla-vls.org.uk, and we will add your name to our list of contacts.
Mike Bewsey
VLS Chairman
