News
Sustainability Committee Update Since the launch of UEIL’s new Sustainability page in February 2022, the Sustainability Committee has been working on developing new content for its visitors, providing insights into the growing efforts of the industry to advance on its sustainability journey. The White Papers section of the page offers readers two key documents, introducing the key performance indicators and the basics of sustainability reporting for companies. Moreover, the page has been expanded with the Toolbox section, which offers guidance documents for members on the different steps of implementing sustainable practices in their business activities. The Company CO2e Value Guidance documents introduce the first steps for lubricant companies to measure, account for, and reduce the carbon footprint of their activities (corporate carbon footprint) and products (product carbon footprint) aiming to motivate companies to join UEIL on its path towards sustainability.
For more information about UEIL’s efforts to provide guidance on sustainability to its members and others in the industry, visit the FAQ page with many interesting insights. If you or your company wishes to contribute to the lubricant industry’s sustainability journey, or have any inquiries, please contact the UEIL Secretariat at
secretariat@ueil.org.
Health, Safety and Environment Committee On Halogenated Chemicals – MCCP (medium-chained chlorinated paraffins) and PFAS restriction: authorities still do not distinguish polyfluorinated hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons from other functional groups such as fluorinated carboxylic acids. If many of the latter are indeed toxic, polyfluorinated hydrocarbons used in greases and other high-performance lubricants do not react at all and, therefore, are used.
The Committee continues its discussions with other associations and authorities to explain why this type of molecules can hardly be replaced. Similar attempts are made for MCCP. For environmental reasons, the whole group of molecules is about to be restricted,
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although MWF fluids are circulated in a closed system. HSE members recently participated in an EU consultation process and provided their input on the use and safe handling of these substances.
Following the proposal of the French competent authorities in June 2020, a harmonised classification for “reproductive toxicity category 1A – H360FD” Lithium hydroxide (and some other Lithium salts) is under consideration. This might also lead to a similar classification of Lithium-based greases if the concentration of Lithium hydroxide is above 0.3%.
Together with ATIEL and ATC, we are about to inform authorities about the use of this type of chemicals in the lubricant industry. Namely, we’re looking for volumes sold in Europe, test methods for quantifying Lithium hydroxide in greases, uses where these greases cannot be replaced and where these greases remain after use. Any information here to the HSE group is highly welcome.
Technical & Competition Committees Update The Technical and Competition Committees continue to make progress on a number of cases. OEM Bulletins were released in the last months and on several cases a complaint has been filed to the national type approval authority.
The Committees have also been in contact with the European Commission’s DG GROW. The interaction has been encouraging. In their response they highlighted that article 61 of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 already gives a right to independent operators to obtain access to the relevant repair and maintenance information which comprises the technical specifications with regard to spare parts and products to be used for maintenance. This includes access to information on technical specifications of the lubricants to be produced and used for the maintenance of motor vehicles.
This response is a positive and supportive clarification regarding the current regulatory situation which
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