API issues addendum 7 to API 1509
The American Petroleum Institute (API) has posted Addendum 7 to API 1509, which describes the voluntary API Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) and explains to marketers how different API marks are licensed and displayed for the consumer.
On November 9, 2017, the API Lubricants Standards Group approved the adoption of SN PLUS, a new classification that may be used in conjunction with API SN and API SN with Resource Conserving. The user language and requirements for the new classification are part of this notice and may be downloaded here.
API plans to license oils against the SN PLUS classification, but the date on which SN PLUS licensed oils will appear in the API Directory of Licensees and licensed marketers will be permitted to display SN PLUS in the lower portion of the API Service Symbol Donut still needs to be determined.
A decision on the first licensing date will be made after API and the Lubricants Standards Group have vetted Base Oil Interchange/Viscosity Grade Read Across guidelines for the Sequence IX (LSPI) test.
Marketers may identify oils that meet all of the requirements of the standards as meeting API SN with SN PLUS or API SN with SN PLUS and Resource Conserving prior to the date of first licensing but may not state or imply API certification or licensing of SN PLUS in advance of that date.
Marketers that want API to license their oils as meeting API SN with SN PLUS and API SN with SN PLUS and Resource Conserving on the first licensing date must apply for licensing through the online application system. The right to claim API licensing against the SN PLUS classification will not be allowed until the to-be-determined first licensing date. API will notify licensees when the online application system is ready to accept SN PLUS applications.
A complete revision of API 1509 is currently being prepared that will incorporate all released Addendums; 2 through 7.