The American Petroleum Institute (API) is preparing to establish a task force to identify improvements in the current engine oil standard-setting process, according to Kevin Ferrick, senior manager of API’s Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS).

The task force, which will include international participants, will be composed of representatives from the Auto Alliance, API and the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

The task force would be charged with identifying improvements to the API engine oil standards development process, Ferrick told the ASTM Subcommittee D02.B meeting on June 28 in Boston, Mass.

Areas for improvement could include speed of API category development, engine test development and funding and inclusion of international participants.

The makeup of the task force will be determined when the API Lubricants Group meet on June 29 in Boston, Mass. or on July 12 in the Detroit, Mich., area. Task force representatives will begin meeting as soon as the task force is formed.

Dan Pridemore, ACC representative, also told the ASTM subcommittee D02.B that ACC has similarly convened a Lubricant Category Testing Work Group to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of performance tests in passenger car motor oil (PCMO) and heavy-duty diesel (HDD) industry standards.