We caught up with Bill O’Ryan from API ahead of Lubricant Expo Middle East. Director of the Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Certification Programs Bill brings a wealth of knowledge to our speaker programme. Bill has worked in the transportation lubricants industry for over 30 years and joined the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 2022. His background includes additive package development, engine, and driveline testing. Bill has oversight responsibility for the Aftermarket Audit Program (AMAP), an annual program in which thousands of engine oil and DEF samples are purchased in the marketplace around the globe and tested to ensure conformance with required specifications.
Read on to discover why Bill thinks the Middle East plays a critical role in this industry and how countries and regions around the world are implementing audit processes to check conformance against technical standards and ensuring products are properly licensed.
Tell us about yourself, what are your key priorities and responsibilities within your role?
My role is Director of the engine oil and diesel exhaust fluid licensing and certification programs at the American Petroleum Institute (API). I am responsible for ensuring the quality of these lubricants and enforcing the proper use of API service category claims and the API certification marks. Quality starts with the oil marketers providing API with confidential disclosure of their products “licensed fingerprint”. API then verifies this data against our technical standards before approving the license request. Enforcement is done through a “secret shopper” program called our Aftermarket Audit Program or AMAP. API contracts the purchase of bulk and packaged products which are blind coded for testing at independent test laboratories across the globe. The test results are then measured against our technical standards and if failing, API work directly with the manufacturer to mitigate the issue and if necessary, pull the product from the marketplace.
In your view, how has the oil/lubricants and fluids sector evolved from a quality/standards perspective over the past decade (especially in a global context)?
The number of countries and regions around the world that are implementing audit processes to check conformance against technical standards and ensuring products are properly licensed has increased greatly in the past decade. Counterfeit products continue to emerge; however, consumers and regulatory bodies have become more diligent in reporting non-conforming products. Internal combustion engine design parameters have evolved greatly in the past decade, necessitating tremendous upgrades in engine oil technology to keep pace and it is imperative that consumers have access to the appropriate level of performance to protect their investment.
The Middle East plays a critical role in this industry, and we appreciate the opportunity afforded by this discussion so that we may continue to partner and do our part in safeguarding lubricant quality globally.
In emerging markets, counterfeit or low-quality fluids can undermine confidence. How can OEMs, distributors and certification bodies like API work together to build trust in licensed fluids?
It is extremely important for us to work together when discovering counterfeit or low-quality fluids. API maintains an internet web page for unauthorized use of our certification marks that includes photos of the offending product labels. We also have a public facing directory of all API licensed products. Anyone that discovers a new marketer or brand name can go to our directory and confirm whether they hold a license. We have team mailboxes at [email protected] and [email protected] which can be used to report any suspicious products. It is crucial that all stakeholders within our industry work together to maintain a high level of performance and quality.
There’s often a gap between “meeting certification specs in the lab” and real operational performance. How does API monitor or audit certified products post-licensing to ensure continued compliance and real-world reliability? (e.g., the Aftermarket Audit Programme)
AMAP is a program that we run which purchases approximately 1,000 engine oils and 500 diesel exhaust fluids annually. These products are purchased at retail locations that sell bulk and/or packaged products. Think in terms of OEM dealerships/workshops, quick oil change outlets, auto part stores, travel centers, department stores etc. These oils are purchased and shipped to a contracted location for blind coding. API is aware of the marketer and brand identity, viscosity grade and service categories claimed. These oils are repackaged with only the viscosity grade and service categories then shipped to an independent test lab, maintaining the chain of custody. API checks conformance of our licensed companies and their products as a priority, but routinely checks for unlicensed products or those making counterfeit claims.
Why are events like Lubricant Expo Middle East important for your industry?
As with anything in our industry, the technical details can be subtle and nuanced. Repetition is the key to ensuring we have not missed the mark on the importance of quality and conformance to technical standards. We are all responsible for providing consumers and vehicle owners high quality fluids that make certain they have reliable transportation. The Middle East plays a critical role in this industry, and we appreciate the opportunity afforded by this discussion so that we may continue to partner and do our part in safeguarding lubricant quality globally.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Bill O’Ryan on stage at Lubricant Expo Middle East, where he will speak in the session: Quality Assurance and the Creditability of Products Manufactured in the Region, from 4:15pm – 5:00pm taking place on the 20 January.
