The additive package is validated to the TOP TIER™ Performance Standards at an independent ISO 17025 certified laboratory by the additive company. Upon approval by the TOP TIER™ OEM Sponsors, the additive company is informed the package has been approved for use in licensed TOP TIER™ Approved Fuels.

There is a minimal annual license fee based on the number of service stations owned by the fuel retailer.

The TOP TIER™ Program is not just about a high detergent treat rate. It is a robust engine cleanliness performance standard designed to specific chemistry at a proven concentration. It also prohibits the use of organometallic additives known to damage emissions aftertreatment systems. The additive packages approved for use in licensed TOP TIER™ fuels have been shown to meet the performance standard and have been approved by the TOP TIER™ OEM Sponsors.

All gasoline stations of a licensed fuel brand within a country must supply gasoline using a TOP TIER™ approved additive package at the specified treat rate and must not contain any organometallic additives (e.g., MMT or iron). Gasoline retailers cannot select certain branded service locations to be TOP TIER™. All branded stations must supply gasoline meeting the program requirements in all octane grades offered.

Because of the complexity of the supply chain, diesel fuel marketers may enroll select stations in the TOP TIER™ Diesel Program. All grades of diesel fuel under the branded canopy at the select stations must meet the TOP TIER™ Approved Diesel requirements.

Any fuel marketer can become a TOP TIER™ Licensee by successfully completing the steps outlined in Become TOP TIER™ Licensed.

The TOP TIER™ License Agreement specifies a minimum additive package treat rate. You are allowed to use up to three times that approved minimum.

The TOP TIER™ Sponsors advance the program periodically to keep-up with changing engine technologies, however any prospective changes are communicated very early allowing additive companies, fuel marketers and fuel retailers to make the necessary changes.

The companies supplying additive packages for TOP TIER™ licensed fuels will run the packages per the new performance standard requirements to determine the effectiveness of the package and the minimum TOP TIER™ treat rate. Performance data demonstrating the package meets the standard’s requirements is submitted to the TOP TIER™ OEM Sponsor team. Upon notification the package has been approved, the additive company will be able to make it available for use in licensed TOP TIER™ fuels.

The TOP TIER™ Program is not just about a high detergent treat rate, it also validates the effectiveness of the detergent chemistry. It is an engine cleanliness performance standard. Merely adding more detergent does not necessarily mean a fuel is better. Fuel Marketers can meet the TOP TIER™ Program requirements and offer TOP TIER™ Approved Gasoline by using additive packages at treat rates approved by the OEM Sponsors and becoming licensed.

TOP TIER™ represents a performance standard that the OEM Sponsors support and recommend. Licensed fuel retailers are prohibited from saying they are better than TOP TIER™. TOP TIER™ allows a range of approved additive concentrations up to a maximum. Saying “better than TOP TIER™” could be misleading to consumers.

Upon completion of a TOP TIER™ License Agreement, your licensed brand names will be added to the TOP TIER™ website. The TOP TIER™ logo must be prominently displayed at your service stations, either directly labelled on the dispenser pump and/or clearly displayed within the consumer’s view when dispensing fuel.

Promoting TOP TIER™ at your stations is critical for consumers to recognize you are a participant of the program. Once the License Agreement is effective, master artwork containing the official TOP TIER™ logo will be sent for use in designing your promotional material.

You can also purchase TOP TIER™ decals by contacting us.

If both of the fuels contain the TOP TIER™ approved additives at the approved treat rate using an in-line injection system at the fuel supply terminal prior to comingling, the test data provided for each fuel is sufficient.

See Frequently Asked Questions – Consumer