VLS Newsletter – September 2023
Case Summary
Overall the number of cases stands at 95, with 12 products under investigation, 1 not compliant following investigation, 6 compliant following investigation and 76 archived.
Case 010195 – concerns PCEO 5W-30 and the OEM specification claims made on the product. The case has been accepted by VLS which is in contact with the Named Party.
Case 010194 – concerns the OEM specification claims made on 0W-30 PCEO. The case has been accepted by VLS and a sample is being sourced and tested.
Case 010193 – concerns PCEO 5W-30 ACEA C2, C3 and was received on the 20 July 2023. The case has been accepted by VLS which is in contact with the Named Party concerning the complaint.
Case 010192 – concerns PCEO 5W-30 Fully Synthetic and was received on the 20 July 2023. The case has been accepted by VLS which is in contact with the Named Party.
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 responded to the complaint and their actions have been accepted by VLS. A website publication notice has been issued to the website and the case is subject to a six-month review.
Case 010188 – The case concerns a Universal Tractor Transmission Oil. The product has been tested and the results shared with the Named Party who have acknowledged that some of the claims need modifying and that they are progressing an investigation.
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 VLS is considering their response.
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 shared with the Named Party on the 15th August. VLS awaits a formal response by the 14th September.
Case 010181 – concerns PCEO SAE 5W-30. The product has been sourced and tested, and the results shared with the Named Party on the 21st August and VLS awaits the results of their investigation by the 20th September 2023.
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
UK Government has issued an update to its hydrogen strategy which includes a commitment by DfT to publish a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy later this year to further support investment in the low carbon transport fuels sector by setting out a vision for the deployment of low carbon fuels across transport modes up to 2050.
The UK Petroleum Industry Association, representing midstream refiners in the UK, has changed its name to Fuels Industry UK.
SMMT report six months of growth for UK car production.
The Department for Transport has concluded its consultation on setting a Code of Practice for Mobility as a Service.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has published the top 10 destinations for EU passenger car exports.
ILMA report that the United Auto Workers has voted to authorize a strike against General Motors Co., Ford Co., and Stellantis Corp. if an agreement is not met by mid-September.
autonews report that the growing weight of EVs are causing safety and pollution problems.
Media Editorial
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.
Professional Motor Mechanic, September 2023. Features VLS Chairman Mike Bewsey as part of their podcast series on page 9, and reports of VLS investigations into low temperature properties of lubricants on Page 10.
Garage and MOT magazine, September 2023. Features an article on lubricant products quarantined and removed from sale following VLS investigations.
Aftermarket magazine, September 2023. Reports on positive conclusions for VLS gear oil investigations, page 5.
Commercial Vehicle Workshop, July/August, featured an article on VLS’s cautioning against using the latest engine oils in older vehicles. Pages 33/34.
FACTS Online, July 2023. VLS cautions against using the latest engine oils in LCVs.
Autoscene online, July 2023. Reports on products removed from sale after VLS investigations.
FACTS Online, July 2023. VLS reports that the industry braces for an increase in counterfeit lubricants due to the cost-of-living crisis.
As a member, we would encourage you to disseminate the materials and content generated by VLS through your own communication channels.
Media Advertising
Professional Motor Mechanic, September 2023, half page advert page 31.
Aftermarket magazine, September 2023, half page advert page 13.
Lube magazine, August/September 2023 half page advert on VLS, Page 54.
Events
Lubricant Expo will be held in Messe Essen, 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 Sustainaiblity will be held in London on the 18th October.
ACI European Base Oils & Lubricants Summit, 15/16 November, Bracelona, Spain.
The 54th Lubricants and Base Oils Symposium, 22/24 November, Zagreb, Croatia.
Social Media
Twitter (now X)
To follow VLS on Twitter click here.
You need to be logged into Twitter, or X, now to read tweets.
LinkedIn
To follow VLS on LinkedIn click here.
Stay Up To Date
We would encourage all members to make use of the content generated by VLS and share this to your own communication platforms. 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
