API, in a letter issued today, has invoked Provisional Licensing, in accordance with API 1509, for the new API SP/ILSAC GF-6/ILSAC GF-6B passenger car engine oil service standards. API acknowledges that there has been high demand for the Romaszewski Oil Bench Oxidation (ROBO) test (ASTM D7528) to qualify engine oil formulations against the API SP/ILSAC GF-6/ILSAC GF-6B standards that have a May 1, 2020 first license date.

API’s Provisional Licensing applies to oil marketers that need to run the ROBO test to qualify their formulations for: ILSAC GF-6A; ILSAC GF-6B; API SP with Resource Conserving and SN PLUS; API SP with SN PLUS; ILSAC GF-5; API SN with Resource Conserving; API SN with Resource Conserving and SN PLUS; API SN with SN PLUS; and API SN.

The Provisional Licensing is effective immediately through August 1, 2020.  API will review the situation on August 1 and will determine at that time if the provisional licensing period should be extended.

API’s Provisional Licensing procedures are intended to deal with such situations. ILMA had shared with API that a number of its members were having issues with the availability of the ROBO bench test and the needed results. 

Under API’s guidelines for Provisional Licensing, oil marketers still need to use API’s online application, checking the box that a Provisional License is being sought. The applicant still needs to provide alternative data that the formulation would pass the ROBO test. Engine oils that are granted Provisional Licensing will be listed in API’s Directory of Licensees without any special designation; however, the licensee remains responsible for the satisfactory performance of the engine oil granted the Provisional License.

When API lifts its Provisional Licensing, oil marketers with provisionally licensed formulations will have six months to obtain and submit a passing ROBO result. The provisional licensee will submit a new license application, and the provisional license will be withdrawn.