Four Truths About ISO 21469 Certified Lubricants

Learn about the ISO 21469 standard and its benefits to manufacturers and end users of food-grade lubricants.
  • ISO 21469 Is a Product Certification, NOT a Management Systems Certification

    ISO 21469, Safety of Machinery, Lubricants with Incidental Product Contact-Hygiene Requirements
    is the one global standard for food-grade lubricants. While management system certifications help drive organizational improvements, ISO 21469 certifications verify compliance with product formulation, manufacturing and packaging requirements.


    ISO 21469 certification does assure end users a production facility is ISO 9001 certified as it is a prerequisite for ISO 21469.

  • ISO 21469 Certification Is an Upgrade From H1 Registration

    ISO 21469 certifications and H1 registrations both involve reviews of product ingredients and labeling; however, ISO 21469 goes one step further by also focusing on the quality control of a product’s manufacture by including:

    • On-site validations of formulations
    • On-site audits to verify packaging and risk assessment accuracy
    • Mandatory product testing
    • Additional labeling reviews for enhanced traceability

    In addition to food and beverage processors, ISO 21469 certified lubricants are also specified by the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and animal feed industries.

  • ISO 21469 Certification Addresses Three Causes of Contamination

    Chemical Risks

    Getting food-grade lubricants certified:

    • Ensures registered H1 formulation information has not changed
    • Confirms that the ingredients on the label are exactly what is in the product

    Manufacturing Risks

    Going through the certification process:

    • Reduces the risk of cross-contamination with other lubricants, additives, thickeners and base oils during production
    • Verifies lubricants are produced following Good Manufacturing Practices

    Storage/Handling Risks

    Certifying food-grade lubricants:

    • Mitigates contamination risks and product degradation due to moisture, dirt, dust, airborne particles and temperature variances during storage
    • Verifies products are properly stored and not beyond the recommended shelf life
    • Ensures products are being transported safely
  • ISO 21469 Certification Is Required in Brazil

    Food-grade lubricants manufactured in, imported into or exported out of Brazil must be ISO 21469 certified. More and more food and beverage processors worldwide are also specifying ISO 21469 certified lubricants.

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