Whereas PennStar joined PQIA as a supporter on February 8, 2019, it was subsequently discovered that PennStar was not in compliance with Sections 1.a.iii, and viii of the PQIA Code of Ethical Business Conduct (CODE). As a result, PQIA terminated PennStar’s support on November 14, 2019.
Specific to PennStar’s noncompliance to Section 1.a.iii of the PQIA Code of Ethical Business Conduct and PQIA’s action terminating PennStar’s support, PQIA observed unlicensed PennStar products in the marketplace that although not licensed by the API, PennStar claimed the product meets all API licensed requirements. Following repeated request by PQIA that PennStar provide PQIA with verifiable documentation that the product meets all the specifications and test requirements for the claimed or implied API service category, PennStar stated it was unable to produce such documentation.
The Petroleum Quality Institute of America (PQIA) Code of Ethical Business Conduct (Code) is the cornerstone of the PQIA initiative as it clearly and strictly defines the standards by which PQIA and its management, employees, and supporter (“Supporters”) will conduct business in the lubricants marketplace. It is the intent of PQIA that this Code will ensure that all PQIA Supporters conduct themselves to a high level of ethical conduct, and comply with the requirements set forth by API, the ACC, and government regulations as they pertain to the manufacturing and marketing of lubricants. A key to this Code is that PQIA’s Supporters commit to comply with the Code and to provide reasonable access to their products for checks of such compliance. It is understood that failure to comply with the Code will result in the termination of any affiliation with PQIA.
