What is ACEA and what does it do?

Wolf Luricants engine oil, general image car, motor oil

You know the ACEA oil sequences, but who is behind these and what do they do exactly? Read on to find out.

In short, ACEA is an advocate for the automobile industry in Europe. They represent manufacturers of passenger cars, vans, trucks and buses with production sites in the EU.

ACEA was founded in 1991 as the successor of the CCMC manufacturers committee. It’s an abbreviation of Association de Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles, or in English: European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

A major reason of ACEA’s existence is that the automotive industry is one of the most regulated sectors in Europe. This regulatory framework consists of around 80 EU Directives and over 70 international UNECE regulatory agreements, mostly covering technical issues and standardisation.


Who are ACEA’s members?

Members of the Association include the national associations for the automobile industries, plus most of the OEMs.

Through its member companies, ACEA taps into a wealth of technical, regulatory and practical expertise in the following priority fields:

Competitiveness, Market and Economy

  • Environment and Sustainability
  • International Trade
  • Research and Innovation
  • Safety
  • Transport Policy


ACEA’s main tasks

Here’s what ACEA does:

  • Defines and advocates the common interests, policies and positions of the European automobile industry
  • Engages in dialogue with the European institutions and other stakeholders in order to better understand industry-related issues, and to contribute to effective policy and legislation at both European and global levels
  • Acts as a portal for expert knowledge on vehicle-related regulation
  • Communicates the role and importance of the industry, using reliable data and information
  • Monitors activities that affect the automobile industry, cooperating with the other stakeholders involved
  • Finally, undertakes strategic reflection on the increasingly global challenges of mobility, sustainability and competitiveness.


ACEA sets quality standards for lubricants as well

High quality lubricants are necessary to ensure the reliability of modern high-tech engines. And there is no single best oil: different oils are required for different circumstances and climatic conditions.

With its European Oil Sequences, ACEA provides minimum standards for oils. These are the standards that ACEA members demand for using these oils in their vehicles. 

Mind that ACEA does not certify oils, nor do they license, nor register, compliance certificates. Oil manufacturers are themselves responsible for carrying out all oil testing and evaluation according to recognised engine lubricant industry standards and practices. In particular the ACEA European Oil Sequences refer to many standard CEC tests.

Oil manufacturers are also responsible and liable for all claims made that their products meet the ACEA Oil Sequences.


Do Wolf lubricants meet ACEA standards?

Yes. Wolf works together with additive suppliers to look to it that our products always meet and even exceed the latest, stringent ACEA-standards.


Summary:

  • ACEA is an advocate for the automobile industry in Europe.
  • Members of the Association include the national associations for the automobile industries, plus most of the OEMs.
  • With its European Oil Sequences, ACEA also provides minimum standards for oils.
  • Wolf looks to it that our products always meet and even exceed the latest, stringent ACEA-standards.