Dr. Crichton, the Global Industrial Liaison Manager at Infineum, is actively involved in the research and development of lubricants, fuel oils, and their additives. In his report titled "Development of European Emissions Regulations and Trends in the Upgrading of Internal Combustion Engine Oils," he highlights that China's emissions regulations closely follow global trends. Since 2003, China has implemented EU I standards, followed by EU II in 2005. As a result, Chinese OEMs have had to adopt various technical measures to meet stricter emission requirements, which in turn demands higher-performance lubricants. This demand is accelerating the evolution of lubricant technology.
Experts point out that China’s current lubricant standards were established in 1995, reaching the SF level for gasoline engine oils. In contrast, foreign countries have advanced to the SL level and are moving toward SM. The oil quality grading system (SA-SB-SC-SD-SE-SF-SG-SH-SJ-SL-SM) shows that China lags by nearly 20 years. The coexistence of different oil products, specifications, and vehicle conditions in China leads to a market where high, medium, and low-grade oils are all present. National, industry, and corporate standards coexist, creating complexity in the market.
Mr. Zhang Chunhui, Director and Senior Engineer at the Great Wall Lubricant Application Research Center of Sinopec, noted that many oils covered under China’s national standards have already been phased out in U.S. API and ACEA specifications. Current standards fail to meet modern automotive OEM requirements, especially those of large multinational joint ventures. This situation forces oil manufacturers to comply with multiple standards—both national and OEM-specific—which increases costs and complicates production.
Developing oils that meet OEM certifications requires extensive bench testing, often costing millions of dollars. Many small and medium-sized companies struggle to afford such investments, leading some to purchase foreign-certified oils or import compounding agents to meet international standards. However, this approach raises concerns about whether these oils are truly suitable for China’s unique driving conditions, fuel quality, and vehicle technologies.
Dr. Fu Xingguo from PetroChina Lubricant Company emphasized that base oils make up 99% of lubricants, and differences between domestic and foreign base oils could affect performance. Even if a product meets foreign standards, it may not be ideal for Chinese vehicles. Experts warn that relying solely on foreign standards risks making China’s lubricant industry dependent and lacking its own technological core.
Establishing China’s own OEM standards could enhance competitiveness and national security. While some Chinese oil companies have already met international certifications, full recognition by multinational automakers remains a challenge. Experts argue that without strong engine design capabilities, China cannot develop independent lubricant standards. The question remains: can China create its own OEM standards, and when will the new national standard be introduced?
Sources indicate that China is working on revising its 1995 standard to introduce more advanced certification levels. Although the draft is complete, details remain undisclosed, raising questions about transparency and urgency. Until clearer guidelines emerge, the industry must continue waiting for progress from regulators, automakers, and oil companies.
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