VLS closes Certas Lubricant Solutions case

VLS has closed investigation VLS 010207 after the company involved — Certas Lubricant Solutions — took corrective action.

In November 2024, VLS received a complaint about Kerax Hyperdrive KXR 5W30 ACEA A1/B1-12. The complaint alleged that the TBN when measured at 6.7 mg KOH/g was not compliant with ACEA A1/B1-12. The ACEA A1/B1 2012 limit for TBN is stated as being equal to or greater than 8.0 mg KOH/g.

Additionally, the product claimed API CF, which was an obsolete category and not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009. Later “C” category oils are usually suitable or preferred for diesel automotive engines for which “CF” oils were specified.

VLS upheld the claim based on its technical merits and procured and tested a sample of the product, which produced a result of TBN 6.2 mg KOH/g. VLS, therefore, found that the product was not compliant with the claim ACEA A1/B1-12. The product was also not compliant with its claim to meet Ford M2C913B, which requires a TBN of greater than or equal to 7.5 mg KOH/g.

VLS contacted the Lubricant Marketer, Certas Lubricant Solutions, who conducted an internal investigation. It reportedly identified that the formulation used in manufacture did not meet the additive supplier’s recommended treat rate for the performance levels claimed. The stock affected was said to be a historical product no longer available in the marketplace, which had been discontinued after the takeover of the company by Certas Lubricant Solutions. The legacy product has not been blended or filled at its blending plant since November 2021 according to the company, and it confirmed that the product was withdrawn from its production portfolio in April 2022. All stock of labels for the product were disposed of at this time.

Certas Lubricant Solutions contacted the product distributor, and it is claimed that the remaining stock was quarantined and disposed of.

Following the actions taken, VLS was content to close the investigation subject to the standard six-month review.

Harald Oosting, VLS Chairman, said: “We would like to thank Certas Lubricant Solutions for their positive, proactive action in this case to remove affected stock from the market. As the lubricants sector navigates rapid change in response to OEM design changes and the need to meet increasing emissions legislation, we must have a robust, anonymous process that holds lubricant producers and marketers to account and protects end users.

Workshops must have confidence that the products they select are suitable for use in the application and can deliver what they claim. Our objective is always to bring products into compliance, and we thank Certas Lubricant Solutions for taking action to protect end users.”