From the Technical Association
of the European Lubricants Industry
20th December 2005
ATIEL implements emergency derogation provision
ATIEL has made changes to its Code of Practice (CoP) to allow for temporary base stock or additive shortages that result from force majeure conditions.
The changes enable oil marketers directly impacted by a force majeure to deviate from the CoP’s base stock interchange guidelines. This allows a product to be marketed for a maximum 90 days while the base stock interchange data is generated.
The derogation provision follows a similar measure for emergency provisional licensing adopted by the American Petroleum Institute (API) as a result of the impact of Hurricane Katrina.
Mike Wharton, Chairman of ATIEL’s Technical Council, says: “We have tried to strike a balance between rigid adherence to the CoP guidelines, which might disadvantage those faced with a force majeure, and allowing too much flexibility which would have a similar impact on those striving to adhere to the guidelines by other means.”
Testing requirements for alternative base stocks are identical to those normally carried out before a product conforming to the CoP is marketed.
The full details of the derogation provision can be found in Appendix B of the ATIEL Code of Practice. To view click here
Note: The ATIEL Code of Practice is accepted industry-wide as best practice for the development of lubricants that meet the requirements of ACEA European engine specifications.
The information in this newsletter is provided for information purposes only and is correct to the best of our knowledge. ATIEL is not responsible for the consequences arising from any inaccuracies or damages resulting from the use of this information.