CEC IN THE EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK FOR
LUBRICANT TESTING
CEC, together with ATC, ATIEL and ACEA is part of
EELQMS, the European Engine Lubricants Quality
Management System. Formed in1996, EELQMS
guarantees and maintains quality standards in the
field of engine lubricants in service and is built on
ISO quality system standards. It aims to maintain
quality within the whole process of testing and
reporting for ACEA claims, when marketing
lubricants for automotive use. CEC’s role is to
develop and maintain tests and test procedures
within this system. (Other internationally recognised
tests are also used in ACEA sequences).
Registration means signing up to the ATC and
ATIEL Codes of Practice and the reporting of all
tests in the ERC (European Registration Center).
The format in which data is reported throughout a
testing programme is tightly controlled, whilst
observing confidentiality rules. Since the
introduction of the system, overall product quality
and the collaboration between the industry
associations has been improved.
TEST DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
The main objective of CEC is to develop
performance tests and test procedures according
to industry needs. The new test development
process is a key element of the restructured CEC
and aims for short, efficient development.
Product sequences are becoming shorter and
tests may not last for long periods - another
reason for optimised processes to develop new
tests.
|
|
1. The need for a new lubricant test is agreed
outside of CEC by ACEA, ATIEL, ATC [AAA], or
ACEA, ATC, Concawe [AAC] for fuel tests
2. CEC is asked by AAA or AAC to co-ordinate
the test development
3. A Tender document is written by a small
group of experts describing the major elements
of the development and the expected timescale
and issued to a broad selection of
engine/lubricant/fuel testing laboratories.
4. The CEC Management Board [MB] assesses
the tender replies and awards the development
contract to a single lead laboratory
5. A request for sponsors is issued by the CEC
MB to OEMs, Oil companies, Additive companies
and laboratories inviting them to fund and
participate in the development
6. The lead laboratory and sponsors work
together to develop the test within the scope of
the tender document with the aim to reach testdiscrimination
and repeatability (Phase 1)
according to CEC operating guidelines.
7. The Test Development Group has sufficient
autonomy to revise the test programme as
experience is gained.
8. The CEC MB review the work completed in
the lead laboratory, decide whether to award the
method a formal CEC designation and to expand
the development to other laboratories which are part of the TDG in order to launch Phase 2
(Reproducibility) of the test development process
9. Secondary laboratories, with support from the
lead laboratory, install ‘clones’ of the prime
installation, carry out a series of reference tests to
judge their alignment. If this is achieved they are
allowed to begin candidate testing.
10. Finally the MB reviews the test development and
its results. If targets are achieved the method will be
finalised, approved and ready to be released and
used. As a result of this the group becomes an SG.
Funding of such programs can be single laboratory
sponsored, by Association Member(s), individual
OEM’s, an Industry Association, multi laboratory, or
any combination of these. |
|
|
