NSF Awards First PFAS-Free Certification to ROCOL’s Food Grade Lubricants

Oxford, UK — NSF, an independent global services organization, today announced that ROCOL has become the first manufacturer to achieve certification to NSF 537: PFAS-Free Products for Nonfood Compounds and Food Equipment Materials. This milestone certification demonstrates ROCOL’s commitment to producing products that are free from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

The new NSF 537 certification program, launched earlier this year, provides manufacturers with a verified method to identify lubricants and food equipment materials that do not contain PFAS. With increasing regulatory scrutiny and growing concerns about PFAS in the food supply chain, this certification represents a significant advancement in food safety standards.

“With mounting concerns and new regulations being introduced regarding PFAS in our environment and food supply, NSF 537 represents a significant leap forward in consumer safety and transparency,” said Sam Cole, Director of Food Contact Evaluation at NSF. “ROCOL’s achievement as the first manufacturer to meet these rigorous standards demonstrates its commitment to food safety and environmental responsibility. Their proactive approach helps set a new benchmark for the industry.”

The NSF 537 certification involves comprehensive testing and verification, including:

• Maximum Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) level below 50 parts-per-million.
• Prohibition of PFAS additives.
• No post-consumer recycled materials.
• Annual retesting to ensure continued compliance.

Jess Baker, Senior Scientist at ROCOL, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “NSF’s new PFAS certification is a significant step forward for the food industry, and we’re proud to have helped bring it to life. Being the first to receive this certification reflects our commitment to both our customers and the planet, setting a new industry benchmark. This milestone reinforces the quality, durability, and safety of our FOODLUBE® products, while upholding the highest environmental standards. We’re looking forward to completing the certification across the full range. I would urge others in the industry to follow suit and get their products certified. The NSF team were incredibly supportive throughout the process, and collective action is essential to tackling the issue of forever chemicals.”

The certification comes at a critical time as the EU has recently implemented new regulations for food contact materials, with full implementation expected by August 11, 2026. The UK is currently exploring new regulations regarding PFAS in food contact materials.

For food manufacturers, ROCOL’s certified PFAS-free lubricants offer several advantages:

• Independently validated compliance with emerging PFAS regulations.
• Enhanced consumer safety and trust.
• Reduced environmental impact.
• Simplified route to supplier verification with the NSF White Book ^TM.

“This certification is not just about meeting current standards, it’s about anticipating future needs in food safety,” added Cole. “As the first of its kind, NSF 537 provides food manufacturers with clarity and confidence when selecting materials that come into contact with food production environments.”