At the ILMA Management Forum on April 12, ILMA Past President Jim Taglia presented an update on the Association's engine oil testing program, which began in 2007 and was modeled after the American Petroleum Institute's After Market Audit Program (AMAP).

Taglia announced that, in the first round of random PCMO (passenger car motor oil) sample collection & testing, 19 samples were selected - 17 of case goods and 2 of bulk product. All of the samples were non-API licensed, taken from seven states. Of the 19 products tested for their performance claimed, 17 were deemed to meet the maker's claims, with only two deemed not to meet claims. It should be noted that this 10.5 percent apparent failure rate matches with API's typical AMAP failure rate, in which historically 8 to 11 percent of samples collected did not meet specification claims.

ILMA's Ethics Committee is currently reviewing the two non-conforming products and is investigating whether they represent a possible violation of the Association's enforceable Code of Ethics.

Independent of the testing program, Taglia said a member-generated complaint has been filed against a bulk engine oil; the Ethics Committee is currently investigating that as well. Each year, ILMA members sign a Membership Affirmation, agreeing to abide by the Association's Code of Ethics, when they submit their dues renewal.  Click here for a better understanding of how the ethics enforcement mechanism works.

"ILMA is, and continues to be committed to its Ethics program," ILMA President Anwer Hussain said. "The president of ILMA in 2004, Jim Taglia, broke ground on this program. With the support of the ILMA Board of Directors, as well industry groups and manufacturers, we are building a foundation for all manufacturers to stand on. I am encouraged by the success of the program and look forward to seeing its impact on the industry."

Taglia also told the audience that ILMA now has a better list of brands sold by its members and that the Association is working with API to develop a better way to obtain bulk samples. In addition, ILMA has expanded the program to include tractor hydraulic fluids (THFs), where testing will begin in June 2008, and has formed a similar task force for automatic transmission fluids.

Current partners in the Industry Task Forces include the American Petroleum Institute and the American Chemistry Council. In addition, OEMs Case New Holland and John Deere participate in the THF task force.