The evolution of the GFC in 2000 following the re-structuring of CEC

From now on, Industrial Associations only, and no longer National Organisations, are members of CEC.

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 can be used in working groups.

Finalised CEC test methods will keep their own reference, e.g. CEC C-XX- / T or A.

In other cases, the approach is the following:

• 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 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.

Organization

Untill 2023, GFC consisted of four technical committees:

• Engine Fuels Technical Committee (CTCM)
• Engine Lubricants Technical Committee (CTLM)
• Transmission Lubricants Technical Committee (CTLT)
• Other Fluids Technical Committee (created in 1991) (CTAF)

At the extraordinary general assembly of Dec 23rd of 2022, it was decided to create a new committee on methods for electrified vehicles (CTVE) and to bring together the engine lubricants (CTLM) and transmission lubricants (CTLT) committees in one committee CTLVT (Technical committee for lubricants of thermal vehicles).

CTCM and CTAF remain unchanged

GFC technical work is carried out by working groups of three different types:

Working groups

Investigation groups: define new problems which GFC will examine, and report their findings to the relevant technical committee, i.e.

• Available information
• Work already carried out or ongoing
• Subjacent factors involved
• Practical importance of problem
• Define the need for undertaking tests or developing a standard test method
• Guidance on future work.

Project groups: develop testing programmes or establish standard test methods. Such projects stem from either investigation group report recommendations or a request from the Executive Committee.

Surveillance groups: monitor and maintain methods approved by the Executive Committee, and modify them as necessary.