A local supervisory bureau finds seven batches failed to meet national requirements
The Shandong Provincial Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau has recently released the findings of its fourth lubricants greases report, which showed that seven local producers did not meet the required standards for lubes products.
Over the last three months of 2013, the Bureau surveyed 30 local companies’ grease products to establish whether they met the relevant GB7324-2010, SH/T 0535-1993 and GB/T5671 standards. Greases were tested rigorously for viscosity, dropping point, longevity and several other key features.
Worryingly, the products of almost a quarter of companies surveyed did not comply with the stated specifications and is a setback for the industry which recently made an upbeat announcement to produce greener products.
The bad news follows a recent report from Guizhou province, where the local inspection bureau found that 16 batches of locally produced motorcycle lubes were below the required standard.
As lubricants specifications become more sophisticated, regulations will in turn become more stringent. This may prove challenging for the nation’s smaller producers who have long relied on bulk sales of low-end lubricants for revenue.