The VLS has been left with no choice other than to escalate a 5W30 PCEO investigation concerning Silverhook’s 5W30 Supreme Plus to Trading Standards after the company failed to bring the product into compliance. In PMM’s eyes, this case is a major blow to the fantasy of one-size-fits-all motor oils.
VLS has escalated case VLS 010195, a complaint regarding Silverhook 5W30 Supreme Plus, to Trading Standards after the company failed to bring the product into compliance.
The case was opened in August 2023 after VLS received a complaint alleging that the product was making erroneous claims, such as Ford, BMW, Dexos, etc., with no supporting manufacturer specifications or numbers. The Complainant also alleged that it was unlikely that all the bespoke additive packs for each of these specifications could be included in one oil.
VLS reviewed and upheld the complaint as it said the claims were not specific and required clarification. Some claims were also mutually exclusive. The sulphated ash requirements of ACEA C2/C3 are not compatible with a VW 502.00/505.00 claim. API SP is an incompatible claim with VW 502.00/505.00 due to the mutually exclusive phosphorous limits. VLS is not aware of a proven technology that can support PSA B71 2290 and API SP with the claim against VW 504.00/507.00.
The Lubricant Marketer responded to the complaint. However, VLS considered that the response was insufficient, the complaint was not fully resolved and concluded the investigation.
In May 2024, VLS undertook a six-month review of the case in line with its stated process. The Technical Review Panel had concerns about the product meeting the fuel economy requirements of ACEA C2 and ILSAC GF-6 whilst meeting the tough durability requirements of VW 504.00/507.00. Evidence of support for PSA B71 2290 (ACEA C2/C3 based) had still not been provided
Other inconsistencies in the performance claims were still present as well as several inaccurate performance claims, detailed under the heading ‘Recommended by Silverhook for applications requiring’, which is ambiguous at best.
Consequently, VLS believes that the product is still non-compliant and is reporting it to its Primary Authority partner, Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards and to SAIL-Europe under the EELQMS Lubricant Marketer Letter of Conformance for claims made against the ACEA engine oil sequences.
David Wright, Company Secretary at VLS, said, “We want to ensure we have the highest standards in Europe for lubricant manufacture, blending and marketing and a ‘level playing field’ for all participants so that we protect the interests of the consumer and other end users. In the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (UK) Ltd, we have set our course for stronger industry self-regulation by working positively towards more open and transparent competition that benefits all lubricant organisations.”
