ATIEL Code of Practice Issue 18 Launched

29 November 2012 – ATIEL, the technical association of the European lubricants industry, has launched a new editorially improved version of its Code of Practice, which provides formulation guidance for developers and marketers of engine lubricants designed to meet European vehicle manufacturers’ performance specifications.

The new edition of the Code of Practice, Issue 18, has undergone a thorough editorial re-write to improve the document’s consistency in style and form and to standardise its terminology and technical references.

The technical content is unchanged in this edition, as this is generally updated to coincide with the release of new specifications by the Association of European Vehicle Manufacturers (ACEA) in its European Oil Sequences.

Introducing Issue 18 at ATIEL’s annual Information Seminar in Brussels on 29 November 2012 Hans Thomassen, a member of the Association’s Executive Committee, said: “The ATIEL Code of Practice plays a key role in supporting continuous improvement in the processes behind the development of engine lubricants, and the consistency and validity of performance claims that are made for them.

“There have been many changes in our industry since the Code was first introduced in 1996 and it’s important that they are reflected not just in the technical guidelines but also in the document’s language and format. Consequently, we took the decision earlier this year to look critically at the Code’s editorial style to ensure that the presentation of the information is clear and consistent and that it remains relevant, user-friendly and fit-for-purpose.”

Specialists from ATIEL’s technical committees have overseen the editorial update of the Code over the course of almost 12 months. “The substantial editorial changes incorporated into Issue 18 make it easier for lubricant companies to understand and apply the technical guidelines, which are presented in a more logical structure that is more closely aligned with typical lubricant development processes,” said Thomassen.

The new format also makes the requirements for documentation and auditing of lubricant development processes clearer. “Greater clarity and less interpretation will translate into a further raising of standards and wider adherence to best practices across our industry,” he said.

The ATIEL Code of Practice is an integral part of the European Engine Lubricant Quality Management System (EELQMS). ACEA requires that claims against the ACEA Oil Sequences can only be made by oil marketers which comply with the ATIEL Code of Practice and have signed the EELQMS oil marketers’ Letter of Conformance (available from the ATIEL website). The technical content of the Code is updated around every two years, in line with the release of new evolutions of the ACEA oil sequences.