Case summary
Overall the number of cases stands at 61, with 2 products under investigation and 8 products compliant following case investigation and 51 cases archived.
Case Update
VLS is has completed its investigation into a 10w30 transmission oil, VLS case 0010161, the case publication notice can be seen at:-
https://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-outcomes/vls010161/
VLS is finalising its investigation into the claims made on a 5w30 passenger car engine oil.
Marketing Claims
VLS has revised and updated its marketing claims process to take account of the integrity of the underlying data package in a finished lubricant formulation. The revised marketing claims procedure can be seen on the website at ;
VLS will be presenting its new marketing claims guidance at the ATIEL Technical seminar to be held on 13th June in Brussels.
Pre Case Submission Test Protocols
In response to requests by members, VLS has issued a procedure setting out under what basis it will accept test results submitted alongside a case registration form.
The procedure can be seen at
https://ukla-vls.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Pre-Case-Submission-Test-Protocol-26-02-2019v1.pdf
VLS Process Flowchart
The VLS Process Flowchart has been revised to take account of the Pre Case Submission Test protocol and can be viewed at
https://ukla-vls.org.uk/publications/
Industry News
ATIEL Code of Practice
ATIEL, the technical association of the European lubricants industry, has updated its Code of Practice to include a new Viscosity Grade Read-Across (VGRA) guideline for use in the development of high-quality passenger car engine lubricants.
The updated ATIEL Code of Practice for engine lubricant development and formulation, Issue 21, remains aligned with the ACEA Oil Sequences 2016.
The main changes are:
https://atiel.org/images/code-of-practice/ATIEL_CoP_Issue_21.pdf
Aselube
In April Aselube, the Spanish lubricants association, announced that it had begun a pilot programme of compliance testing of members’ products. Although this was a one-off it was hoped that further testing programmes would result in future. The programme details and results can be seen on the Aselube website at
https://aselube.net/wp-content/uploads/aselube-news-4.pdf
This programme is in addition to existing compliance programmes in Europe including VLS, ATIEL’s continuous monitoring programme and German association FSQ’s quality control programme which can be seen at:-
Media
Press briefing
VLS hosted fourteen members of the trade press at a briefing held at the RAC club in London during May. The purpose of the briefing was to launch the new marketing claims guidance and to explain the rationale behind the revised process. VLS is grateful to those members of the trade press who attended.
David Wright, Company Secretary of VLS, spoke to Lubes N Greases about the impact of blending lubricants for bio fuels in June’s edition.
Transport Operator May 2019, featured an article from VLS on the way lubricants are adapting to meet lower emission standards (Page 31)
Garage Magazine in April 2019 featured an article from VLS on the drive for lower emissions forcing lubricants to act.
Professional Motor Mechanic May 2019, featured an article on the work of VLS to raise standards of compliance in the UK, Page 61.
FACTS magazine issue 150 featured an article by VLS looking at the impact of Brexit on the lubricants sector.
Social Media
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LinkedIn
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Stay Up To Date
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Andrew Goddard
Chairman of VLS