The American Petroleum Institute (API) provided a progress update on the development of the new API Proposed Category 12 (PC-12) heavy-duty engine oil specification Wednesday.
According to API, its Lubricants Standards Group (LSG) has now approved three key actions that will now move to an electronic ballot for inclusion in API 1509:
- Acceptance of the PC-12 technical requirements as outlined in the ASTM D4485 ballot with minor editorial updates
- Acceptance of the PC-12 user language, which provides a high-level description of the API CL-4 and API FB-4 categories.
- Acceptance of Jan. 1, 2027, as the first license date for API Service Category CL-4 and API FB-4
API states these items will be posted as electronic ballots for a 30-day review and voting period, allowing API LSG members to provide feedback before final adoption.
The approved actions follow coordinated technical review across key industry groups. During recent ASTM D02 meetings, API reports the Diesel Engine Oil Advisory Panel (DEOAP) and the PC-12 New Category Development Team (NCDT) aligned on updates to the ASTM D4485 standard. Those recommendations were then forwarded to the API LSG, which confirmed the path forward for PC-12 development.
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API adds to support a smooth transition to the new categories, its licensee portal will open several months prior to the Jan. 1, 2027, first license date. This early-access period will enable licensees to proactively enter new API CL-4 and API FB-4 products. API states it will issue a notification to licensees once early entry becomes available.
“These actions mark a significant milestone toward finalizing the PC-12 specification and preparing the heavy-duty engine oil industry for next-generation performance standards,” API reports.
