ILSAC Categories
ILSAC GF-7
05 November 2024
11 May 2020
API Certification Marks and Service Symbol
API uses a number of Certification Marks and Service Symbols to identify the quality of motor oils for use in gasoline-powered light-duty vehicles. Oils displaying these Marks meet performance requirements set by US and international vehicle and engine manufacturers and the lubricant industry.
Starting May 1 2020, products meeting ILSAC GF-6A may be licensed to display the API Certification Mark 'Starburst' and those meeting ILSAC GF-6B may be licensed to display the new API Certification Mark 'Shield'. API Service SP may be licensed for use in the upper portion of the API Service Symbol 'Donut'.
The API Certification Mark or ‘Starburst’
Oils displaying this Mark meet the current ILSAC GF-6A engine protection standard and fuel economy requirements of the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC), which is a joint effort of US and Japanese automobile manufacturers.
This mark cannot be applied to SAE 0W-16 viscosity grade oils.
From May 1 2021, oils meeting ILSAC GF-5 will no longer be eligible to display the API Certification Mark ‘Starburst’ and will no longer appear on the online Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) Directory after April 30 2021. From this point, ILSAC GF-6A will provide the only basis for issuance of a license to use the API Certification Mark ‘Starburst.’
The API Certification Mark or ‘Shield’
API has introduced a new API Certification Mark ‘Shield’ that will identify oils meeting the ILSAC GF-6B specification. ILSAC GF-6B provides the only basis for issuance of a license to use this new API Certification Mark.
This Certification Mark can only be applied to oils having a viscosity grade of SAE 0W-16.
API Service Symbol or ‘Donut’
Motor oils designed for cars, vans, and light trucks with gasoline engines fall under API’s ‘S’ (Service) categories. Starting May 1 2020, API Service SP may be licensed for use in the upper portion of the API Service Symbol ‘Donut’.
The SAE viscosity grade is shown in the centre of the 'Donut'.
Oils meeting SP with Resource Conserving requirements may be licensed to display ‘Resource Conserving’ in the lower portion of the API Service Symbol in conjunction with API Service SP in the upper portion. API is also giving any approved SP product the SN PLUS designation on the directory, which marketers have the option to include.
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