The new organisation – the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) – aims to protect consumers of lubricants from purchasing products that make incorrect claims by providing an independent, objective, credible and trusted means to challenge and verify lubricant specifications and performance claims.    

The organisation has no intention of curtailing the marketing of cheaper, cost-effective lubricants, provided they are accurately described and labelled. VLS says that all too often, misrepresented lubricants that do not conform to the specifications and performance claimed by their marketers, are sold into the UK market, placing consumers and equipment at risk and distorting the market.

VLS appreciates that, in some cases, this misrepresentation is due to a genuine lack of understanding and, as an organisation, realises that it must strive to increase the level of specification education for consumers and marketers alike. Equally, it recognises that the culprits are in the minority and the vast majority of lubricants supplied into the market are completely fit for purpose. 

Commenting on the operational aspects of the organisation, technical review panel member Kevin Duncan explains that where a case of possible misrepresentation is brought to the attention of the VLS it will, using total anonymity throughout, independently investigate and check compliance of the products to industry standards within the UK marketplace; and its performance claims.

All tests results will be published and where fault is confirmed and where remedial or corrective action is not undertaken, the VLS will publicise information concerning non-compliant products as well as providing relevant information to industry bodies and Authorities.