Presentation > Purpose of GFC

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Purpose of GFC
GFC presentation letter of president

The Groupement Français de Coordination was created to ensure a French participation in the work of the Co-ordinating European Council in developing performance tests for transportation fuels, lubricants and other fluids. This Groupement will, eventually, undertake French research in the very manner described in the CEC Constitution.

Companies belonging to one of the following three groups may be members of the Groupement:

• Oil and Chemical Industry, Additive Industry,
• Vehicle Industry, Engine Industry and allied Industries,
• Users, Laboratories, Universities and Technical Schools.

CEC and GFC are non-profit making organisations

They are technically orientated, mainly towards performance research concerning the technical aspects of engine lubricants and fuels.
To fulfil their research objectives, they must take into account social, ecological and economical legislation together with any other factor having a restrictive influence.
They are not authorised to set specifications with regard to the quality of products other than the equipment and reference materials necessary for carrying out performance tests.

The Co-ordinating European Council main priorities are:

• To study combustion engines and equipment relevant to fuels, lubricants and other fluids, such research leading to the development of test methods for the evaluation of performance for present and future needs.
• To develop and publish test methods to evaluate the performance of transportation fuels, lubricants and other fluids used in Europe.

The evolution of the GFC following the re-structuring of CEC

From now on, Industrial Associations only, and no longer National Organisations, are members of CEC. However, National Organisations may participate in CEC “Technical Workshops”.

The development of a new CEC method, previously based on good will and job sharing, is now performed by way of tenders, and one laboratory deals with the method and organises a round robin test. This practice presents advantages but risks to limit the number of methods. For example, the previous ECTC thought this structure was not adaptable to their activity and asked GFC to host them as CTAF.

The objective of the GFC is to create methods and also take over methods no longer supported by CEC, without any competition with CEC.

Equally, the GFC is ready to welcome surveillance groups no longer supported by the "new" CEC, if they so wish.

This evolution is leading to the internationalisation of GFC. Its constitution has been modified accordingly. When necessary, the English language is used in working groups.

• Finalised CEC test methods will keep their own reference, e.g. CEC C-XX- / T or A.
• CEC test methods re-worked by GFC will have a GFC/CEC reference, e.g. GFC-CEC C-XX-T-AA.
• Future test methods developed by GFC will bear a GFC reference, e.g. GFC F-XX-A-AA.
• The statistical approval of GFC procedures will continue under the GAS on a basis equivalent to CEC methods.

The GFC continues more than ever, complementarily to the "new CEC", to ensure the development, maintenance and necessary exploitation of the methods needed by industry. Moreover, GFC offers a forum of technical exchanges to some fifty members (small and medium size companies, large groups, laboratories, users ...) belonging to the automotive and other transport industries.

Mr Claude DELARUE -GFC President