International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC), ILSAC/OIL Committee and GF-5

What role does ILSAC and  ILSAC/OIL play in GF-5?

The International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) is responsible for the creation of passenger car engine oil specifications.  The specification requirements are developed and introduced by ILSAC/OIL which is a separate entity from ILSAC.  The ILSAC/OIL committee has two branches.  ILSAC is representatives from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) and the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and OIL is representatives from oil industry organizations, the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

Specifically, ILSAC/OIL contributes to the passenger car motor oil specification process by verifying the need for a new specification and setting final testing limits.  These testing limits are ultimately certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). 

Vehicle OEMs, oil marketers, additive companies, and their respective industry organizations fill ILSAC/OIL positions. ILSAC designates one of its members as the ILSAC/OIL chair. A consensus vote is required to achieve agreement on final specification requirements. Separate industries are represented through the designation of six total votes which break out as follows:

• Auto manufacturers receive three votes: ILSAC (AAM and JAMA)
• Oil marketers receive two votes: API LC (API Lubricants Committee)
• Additive companies receive one vote: ACC PAPTG (Product Approval Protocol Task Group)

API provides administrative support such as meeting announcements, minutes, and mailings of meeting information.