Shell Malaysia launches new label for Shell Helix products to prevent counterfeiting

Shell Malaysia has launched a new label indicating ‘Untuk Pasaran Malaysia‘ (for the Malaysian market), for five of its premium Shell Helix motor oil products. The label includes a QR code for product authentication. The product formulation of these five premium Shell Helix motor oils is unchanged. The transition for all Shell Helix products in the country to adopt the ‘Made for Malaysia’ labels is expected to be complete by January 2019.

In a recent member survey conducted by the Singapore-based Asian Lubricant Manufacturers Union (ALMU), counterfeiting was cited among the key challenges being faced by lubricant manufacturers in the region. ALMU, which was officially launched in March 2018, currently is comprised of 85 members, which includes independent lubricant manufacturers, major and national oil companies, as well as suppliers. Shell’s latest move aims to address the problem in Malaysia where a “grey” market thrives in some online stores, supermarket shelves, and workshops.

“The presence of counterfeit and unauthorised products in the market is affecting customer confidence and negatively impacting our trade partners’ businesses. The decision to commence local production of official genuine Shell Helix products meant exclusively for the Malaysian market and clearly identify them with the new ‘Made for Malaysia’ labels is a key step to address this issue,” said Shell Malaysia Managing Director Shairan Huzani Husain.

The products with a new label include Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 fully synthetic (4L), Shell Helix HX7 10W-40 semi-synthetic (4L), Shell Helix HX7 5W-30 semi-synthetic (4L), Shell Helix HX5 10W-30 semi-synthetic (3L) and Shell Helix HX5 15W-40 semi-synthetic (4L). These five Shell Helix products are manufactured and packaged at Shell’s lubricant blending plant in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Official, genuine products with old labels will still be on sale until supplies last, and can be authenticated through the product code on the label. Official, genuine Shell Helix products for the Malaysian market can be purchased from Shell Helix-branded workshops, workshops served by authorised Shell distributors and Shell retail stations, as well as Lazada Malaysia, 11street and Shopee via Shell Malaysia’s official online stores.

The new form of genuine product identification is located behind the oil pack’s front label, which can be peeled back to reveal a QR code which customers can scan on their mobile devices for authentication, as well as registration for the Shell Advantage Rewards (SHARE) programme which includes a sign-up bonus, the Shell Helix Engine Warranty (SHEW) and free Shell Helix products. The label at the back of the bottle includes information in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

By scanning the QR code, customers go to the SHARE product verification page. After entering their mobile number, vehicle ID, product code and shop code, the authentication result will be shown on the page and sent to the customer’s mobile phone via text message.