Lubrizol underscores critical risks behind lubricant specification

Global chemical and additive company, Lubrizol, recently released a whitepaper on engine oils.

Entitled “The Importance of Testing: Analysing Quality, Validation Processes and Reliability”, the document called attention to the clear gaps in performance between lubricants labelled “Suitable For Use” (SFU) and others carrying official original equipment manufacturer (OEM) approvals.

The parent company of CPI Fluid Engineering and sub-brands producing innovative compressor oil and heat transfer fluid such as Emkarate, Paratherm and Solest, Lubrizol is an authority on high-performance lubricants.

In its whitepaper, Lubrizol urged industry operators to prioritise tested products with proven performance over unsubstantiated claims made on lubricant labels. The new document unites the company’s own in-house engine and bench testing with the latest activity from the multiple technical associations in Europe and the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) here in the UK. It explores how SFU claims on labels can cover unvalidated performance, unlike formally verified oils.

The paper discussed a shift in Europe’s lubricants market towards the growing use of claim-based language like “Recommended For”, “Meets The Requirements Of” and the most common, “Suitable For Use”, instead of verified approvals from OEMs. It explained the critical distinction between formally verified specifications that demand complete test programmes and sign-off from official manufacturers and self-certified claims.

By collating real world data, market trends and regulatory insights, the whitepaper is designed to give clear guidance to lubricant marketers, end users, blenders and distributors that want to understand the responsibilities and risks associated with product specification claims.

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