The European Ecolabel for Lubricants
The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary scheme that aims to reward the top environmentally performing products and services available on the single European market (the member states plus Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein). Denoted by the Flower Logo above, the EU Ecolabel scheme was established over 20 years ago.
To date, 317 lubricant products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel across Europe. Each will have met stringent criteria which promote those lubricants which have a reduced impact on the environment and contain a large fraction (over 50%) of biologically based material. There are six mandatory criteria:
• Criteria 1 & 2: The exclusion and limitation of specific substances and mixtures according to their hazard classification.
• Criterion 3: Specific additional aquatic toxicity requirements
• Criterion 4: Biodegradability and bio- accumulative potential
• Criterion 5: Renewable raw materials • Criterion 6: Minimum technical performance.
The criteria have been developed in conjunction with multiple stakeholders from industry, NGOs and member state governments. The process of developing the criteria is transparent - all meetings are open to the public and all documents are available for comment on European Commission web sites. The final criteria are voted by EU member states and once agreed are published as a Commission Decision in the Official Journal (OJEU). Every 4 years or so these criteria are revised to reflect the latest scientific evidence, technological and market changes. The first set of criteria for Lubricants was adopted in 2005 and subsequently revised in 2011. The next revision will start shortly.
“Our Lubrizol 5685, 5687 and 5689 bio-hydraulic oils covering ISO viscosity grades 32 - 68 have been awarded the EU Ecolabel confirming these flagship products meet the comprehensive needs of this prestigious environmental profile and thus address the growing need for low environmental impact fluids whilst providing outstanding hydraulic performance”.
Mick Wragg Lubrizol
The award process is managed by independent third parties, termed ‘Competent Bodies’ appointed by each member state of the European Economic Agreement area. In the UK, DEFRA is the competent body, assisted by UK Ecolabel Delivery (a partnership of TÜV SÜD and Oakdene Hollins). If you wish to take part in the next revision of the criteria or know more about the current criteria or the application process please go to the link.
LINK
www.ecolabel.eu
“The EU Ecolabel means we can give marine operators complete peace of mind that by using BIOGEN WIRESHIELD on wire ropes and armoured umbilicals they will be fully VGP compliant”.
Gareth Procter Rocol
Scope
The EU Ecolabel can be awarded to lubricants in the following categories:
1. Hydraulic fluids and tractor transmission oils
2. Greases & stern tube greases 3. Chainsaw oils, concrete release agents, wire rope lubricants, stern tube oils and other total loss lubricants
4. Two-stroke oils 5. Industrial & marine gear oils.
Compliance with the US EPA’s Vessel General Permit Regulation
Products awarded the EU Ecolabel meet the definition of an ‘environmentally acceptable lubricant’ as required by the Vessel General Permit regulation i.e. they are ‘biodegradable’, ‘minimally-toxic’ and not ‘bio- accumulative’. Issued in 2013 by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the VGP requires that commercial vessels of more than 79 feet operating within the 3 nautical mile limit and in the Great Lakes must use environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL) in oil-to-sea interfaces, such as stern tubes, controllable-pitch propellers, stabilizers, rudders, thrusters, wire rope and mechanical equipment subject to immersion such as grabs.
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LUBE MAGAZINE NO.127 JUNE 2015
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