VLS Newsletter – August 2023
Case Summary
Overall the number of cases stands at 92, with 9 products under investigation, 1 not compliant following investigation, 6 compliant following investigation and 76 archived.
Case 010193 – concerns PCEO 5W-30 ACEA C2, C3 and was received on the 20 July 2023.
Case 010192 – concerns PCEO 5W-30 Fully Synthetic and was received on the 20 July 2023.
Case 010191 – a case complaint enquiry has been made by a lubricant blender and we await the case registration form concerning PCEO 5W-30.
Case 010190 – The complaint concerns the OEM specifications claimed on a Central Hydraulic Fluid. The product is being sourced for procurement and testing.
Case 010189 – The case concerns the OEM specifications claimed on a range of hydraulic fluids. The Named Party has been contacted and VLS is considering their response.
Case 010188 – The case concerns a Universal Tractor Transmission Oil. The product has been tested and the results shared with the Named Party. Their response is being considered by VLS.
Case 010187 – concerns the performance claims on an aluminium synthetic cutting fluid and is under investigation. The Named Party has been written to on 25 July and we await their response by 24 August 2023.
Case 010186 – concerns the low temperature properties of a SAE 75W-90 Semi-Synthetic Gear Oil. The case investigation was completed in July subject to a six-month review and the results published to the website.
Case 010185 – concerns the low temperature properties of a 75W-90 Fully Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid. The investigation was concluded in June subject to a six-month review, and the results of the investigation have been published to the VLS website.
Case 010184 – The investigation was concluded in June subject to a six-month review, and the results have been published to the VLS website.
Case 010183 – The investigation was concluded in June subject to a six-month review, and the results have been published to the VLS website.
Case 010182 – concerns a hydraulic oil and its compliance against the DIN 51524 Part 2 standard. The product has been sourced and tested and the results are under review by the Technical Review Panel.
Case 010181 – concerns PCEO SAE 5W-30. The product has been sourced and tested, and the results shared with the TRP.
Case 010178 – concerning SAE 10W-40 engine oil and the performance claims made on it. The product is not compliant, and the case is subject to a six-month review in November 2023, at which point if the product is still non-compliant then the case will be escalated to Trading Standards.
Case 010176 – The case investigation completed in July and is subject to a six-month review in December 2023.
Case 010171 – the case is subject to a six-month review in November 2023.
Case 010167 – the case is subject to a six-month review in October 2023.
Case 010159 – UEIL has concluded its investigation into the matter.
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 double digit growth for UK car production since January.
The Department for Transport has announced a review of the DVLA to strengthen agency for the future.
The Department for Transport has yet to publish the Government response to the consultation to extend the date of the first MOT test from 3 to 4 years.
The Competition and Markets Authority has concluded its review of the proposed merger between LKQ and Uni-Select.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation report that UK independent garages have responded enthusiastically to last week’s announcement that they will be able to access Security-related Repair and Maintenance Information (SERMI) using the same framework as their EU counterparts, thanks to agreements reached by the Independent Garage Association (IGA).
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has published its response to the EU package on Greening Freight transport.
ATIEL the technical association of the European lubricants industry, has published an EELQMS bulletin on Managing Risk and Ensuring Compliance with the ACEA European Engine Oil Sequences.
API have joined with other energy trades to ‘condemn Biden administration’s baseless restrictions on offshore energy operations’.
API – have joined with Over 100 Trade Groups Representing Businesses Across the Transportation Sector Urge Biden Administration to Reconsider Tailpipe Emissions Rules.
Autoevolution report that General Motors has announced they will teach Americans to trust hands-free driving and Avs.
Media Editorial
Professional Motor Mechanic magazine, July/August features an industry news item on VLS’s ten-year anniversary, page 7.
Aftermarket magazine, July/August includes a roundup of lubricant news featuring VLS Chairman Mike Bewsey, page 32.
Aftermarket Online newsletter, July 2023 features an article on positive conclusions for VLS’s gear oil investigations.
Garage & MOT magazine, July 2023 features an item on lubricant products quarantined and removed from sale following VLS’s investigations, Page 12.
LubesNGreases Lube Report EMEA, June 2023 features a news item on VLS’s actions on non-compliant products.
LubesNGreases July 2023, features an article by VLS Chairman Mike Bewsey on VLS’s role in upholding lubricant standards to coincide with its ten-year anniversary, page 43-46.
Professional Motor Mechanic Online, PMM Podcast July 2023 features an interview with Mike Bewsey to coincide with VLS’s ten-year anniversary.
Autotechnician magazine, July 2023, features a news item on VLS’s ten-year anniversary, page 15.
Transport Operator, July/August includes an article on VLS’s ten-year anniversary, page 37.
Lube magazine, August/September 2023 includes a feature on VLS’s ten-year anniversary and appearance at Automechanika, Birmingham in June, by VLS Chairman Mike Bewsey, page 55. Lube magazine will also be carrying an insert in August on its ten-year anniversary for UK readers/subscribers only.
As a member, we would encourage you to disseminate the materials and content generated by VLS through your own communication channels.
Media Advertising
Lube magazine, August/September 2023 half page advert on VLS, Page 54.
Events
Lubricant Expo will be held in Messe Essen, Germany on 26-28 September.
ATIEL will be holding a webinar on the European Engine Lubricants Quality Management System hosted by ACI on the 4th October.
The Lube conference on Succession and Sustainability will be held in London on the 18th October.
ACI European Base Oils & Lubricants Summit, 15/16 November, Barcelona, Spain.
The 54th Lubricants and Base Oils Symposium, 22/24 November, Zagreb, Croatia.
Social Media
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Stay Up To Date
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Mike Bewsey
VLS Chairman
