Licensing and Certification

GF-5 approved? Now what?

Once a motor oil has demonstrated the physical and performance characteristics necessary to receive GF-5 status, what's next? Licensing and Certification. This process is administered by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Oil marketers must follow the API licensing process to submit oils for approval and licensing. API's Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) permits engine oil marketers that meet specified requirements to use the API Engine Oil Quality Marks. These marks appear on engine oil packaging verifying that an oil has met the GF-5 specification.  The appearance of these marks on the cointainers help consumers identify quality engine oils and communicate that the oil meets the GF-5 specification.

The Application

A license application requires a signed affidavit stating that all product licensing data was obtained using the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Product Approval Code of Practice.  Licensees must agree to have products sampled and audited to ensure they meet the performance characteristics claimed.

The required application documents can be found on the API website.

Fees

The EOLCS minimum royalty fee is $1,050 or $1,250 for non members. An additional annual fee of $.0015 per gallon of licensed motor oil (after the first million gallons of production) will also be assessed.

Timing

Processing time is expected to take 30 days once a completed application has been received by API.

Enforcement

Licensed oils must match the physical and chemical data on file with API. If an oil is found to be out of conformance, API will work with the licensee and take corrective action. If the issue remains unresolved, additional action, including license termination, may occur. It is a violation to display improper or unauthorized labeling data. 

How Lubrizol can help with the process

Lubrizol as an additive supplier to an oil marketer may assist in the licensing process by providing the basic test data for the oil qualification program.  Lubrizol can also assist in developing the necessary B-Form data for a customer's formulation in anticipation of a license application.