European Ecolabel (LuSC list) for lubricants
European (EU) Ecolabel for lubricants promotes the development and use of lubricating products with a reduced environmental impact. ‘Ecolabels’ for products are voluntary and achieved through a verification process, usually referred to as ‘certification.’
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View our Ecolabel certified productsWhat is an Ecolabel certified lubricant?
Lubricant products satisfying the requirements of European Ecolabel must be biodegradable, have low aquatic toxicity, and where palm oil or palm kernel oil is used, must be sustainably sourced.
The European Ecolabel for lubricants aims to:
- Reduce harm caused to water and soil environments
- Reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere
- Use limited, or non-hazardous substances
- Ensure products contain a high percentage of renewable raw materials.
EU updated Ecolabel 2020 criteria
In November 2018 the EU updated Ecolabel for lubricants with COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2018/1702. From January 1st 2020, only this edition of Ecolabel may be used.
All of our products registered on the European Ecolabel LuSC list are compliant with the updated 2020 criteria. All* can be used without limitation in the following categories:
- Total Loss Lubricants (TLL) - Chainsaw oils, wire rope lubricants, concrete release agents, total loss greases and other total loss lubricants.
- Partial Loss Lubricants (PLL) - Gear oils for use in open gears, stern tube oils, two-stroke oils, temporary protection against corrosion and partial loss greases.
- Accidental Loss Lubricants (ALL) - Hydraulic systems, metalworking fluids, closed gear oils and accidental loss greases.
*Priolube™ 3986 – limited treat-rate depending on lubricant or grease category. Please refer to the LuSC list for maximum allowable treat-rate for all non-biodegradable, non-bioaccumulating components.
Lubricant performance standards
Whilst lubricants must comply with strict environmental criteria to be classed as Ecolabel compliant, they must also meet minimum technical performance standards.
To enable formulations, in all product categories, to comply with the environmental and technical performance requirements of European Ecolabel we combine base oil technologies with a portfolio of products ranging in viscosity from ISO 22 to ISO 1000, comprising of both oxidatatively stable and highly oxidatatively stable esters.
Additional lubricant regulatory compliance
In addition to EU Ecolabel certified products (LuSC list), many of our lubricant products are classified Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs), suitable for formulation under Vessel General Permit (VGP) for United States coastal waters and are certified bio-based by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred®.
EU Ecolabel product group information, helpful guidance for applying for the label and other relevant documents can be found on the Ecolabel website.
European Ecolabel LuSC list 2022
Environmentally acceptable lubricants
Environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) are defined as a lubricant that has:
- Good biodegradability – a measure of the breakdown of a chemical (or chemical mixture) by micro-organisms
- Low toxicity – including low toxicity to aquatic organisms
- Low bioaccumulation – build-up of chemicals within the tissues of an organism over time
Sustainability
Croda has aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and Energy Technologies embeds the 17 UN SDGs in our strategic thinking and strive to contribute to a more sustainable world for both people and planet.