On April 1, 2020, API issued a letter that recognizes the high demand for the Romaszewski Oil Bench Oxidation (ROBO) test (ASTM D7528) necessary to qualify engine oil formulations against the API SP/ILSAC GF-6A/ILSAC GF-6B standards. 

Due to the increased global supply constraints as well as an accumulation of ROBO backlogs, API understands that this could greatly impact oil marketers who need to run the ROBO test to ensure their formulations meet the new regulations placed on: 

• 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

In response to this current situation, API has issued provisional licensing with immediate effect until August 1, 2020. API will continue to review the situation and determine if another extension should be placed for provisional licensing. 

To apply for provisional licensing, oil marketers are still required to use API’s online application by entering ‘5678’ for the ROBO MRV viscosity and completing the remaining fields. All engine oils that are granted provisional licensing will be listed in API’s EOLCS Licensee Directory. Once the provisional licensing is removed, oil marketers will have six months to obtain and submit a passing ROBO test result. 

For more information on the new API provisional licensing and how it impacts your business needs, please contact your Lubrizol account manager.