Jump to content

  • Quick Navigation




- - - - -

What is ISO 21469 Certification and what does it mean for users of Food Grade Lubricants, Fluids, Oils and Greases?

Posted by Shaun Heys, 28 February 2013 · 7,261 views

Food Safety Food Processing Food Production Food Grade Lubricant

Poll: ISO 21469 (10 member(s) have cast votes)

Are you utilising ISO 21469 registered products in your production facilities?

  1. Yes (3 votes [30%])

    Percentage of vote: 30%

  2. No (2 votes [20%])

    Percentage of vote: 20%

  3. In the process of implementing ISO 21469 registered products. (0 votes [0%])

    Percentage of vote: 0%

  4. Never heard of ISO 21469 (5 votes [50%])

    Percentage of vote: 50%

Vote Guests cannot vote
All machinery requires lubrication in order to keep it in good working condition. The manufacture of food, beverages and pharmaceuticals adds an extra level of complexity due to the strict food safety regulations that govern the industry. Food Grade Lubricants must therefore be used in place of standard lubricants to facilitate the auditing requirements of the seller and to provide safety for the consumer.

For many years, NSF H1 accreditation was accepted as the standard indication of food safe lubricants, this is an honour system and is unaudited. Developments in the field have now led to a more thorough process to ensure safety in the high risk sector of food and drink manufacturing.

ISO 21469 is the highest accolade that a food grade lubricant manufacturer can achieve. It proves that a lubricant is manufactured in a hygienic environment, using both best practices and the safest ingredients.

NSF International

The NSF was founded in 1944 to protect and improve human health on a global scale. It is an independent, non-profit making organisation providing product certification. It is dedicated to being a global leader in public health and safety-based risk management.

FDA Listed Ingredients

The first step on the way to ensuring that a lubricant is suitable for ISO 21469 accreditation is to select ingredients that are food safe during initial development. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provide a list of all approved ingredients. This ensures that only safe levels of any ingredient are contained within an NSF accredited lubricant. Once complete, the formulation is submitted to the NSF for assessment against the H1 standard.

NSF H1

A lubricant with NSF H1 accreditation is acceptable for incidental food contact and can be used in and around food processing areas. It certifies that the product has been formulated from FDA approved ingredients but does not regulate the manufacturing process and relies on the honesty of the manufacturer.

H1 lubricants are suitable for use on food processing equipment in areas where there is potential for the exposure of the lubricant to food or its packaging. Typical applications of H1 lubricants are the lubrication of machine parts and corrosion inhibition.

In order to receive the NSF H1 accreditation and be authorised for use where incidental food contact may occur, a lubricant must meet the category requirements that cover the formulation of the product, its labelling and a review of the proposed end-use.

How ISO 21469 Certification is Achieved?

In addition to the requirements for H1, ISO 21469 accredited lubricant manufacturers must go through an unannounced annual auditing process to ensure that all products are made to strict hygiene standards, using good manufacturing practices.

Any manufacturer applying for certification will need to go through the four stage process detailed below. Certification will not be given until all criteria for each phase has been met.

Product Formulation Review

The formulation review for ISO 21469 is used to make sure that all the component ingredients of a food grade lubricant meet the desired standard and criteria for certification.

Testing

Thorough external product testing is conducted annually in order to ensure that conformance to the requirements of ISO 21469 remains up to date and consistent.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessments must be carried out to ensure that all potential hazards within the manufacturing process are identified.

Production Facility Audit

Manufacturing site audits are carried out allowing the NSF to confirm that all the criteria for accreditation are met.
Once the four stage process has been completed to the satisfaction of the NSF then the certification is awarded and the lubricant packaging is authorised to display the ISO 21469 NSF Certification Mark.


Who does it affect and why?

The positive effects of ISO 21469 are felt by many stakeholders:

Lubricants manufacturers seek ISO 21469 accreditation as the highest accolade that can prove their suitability for food grade applications.

Auditors are reassured by the presence of accreditation as it allows full traceability of the lubricant manufacturing process.

Food manufacturers prevent contamination of their products and reduce waste whilst supplying safe products to major supermarkets and other distributors.

Major supermarkets audit the food manufacturers that they deal with in order to manage and reduce the risks to their customers. Supermarkets are also increasingly insisting that their suppliers use lubricants that do not contain mineral hydrocarbons.

Consumers are protected against the possibility of eating a product which is tainted with hazardous material.

Once ISO 21469 certification is achieved it proves that a lubricant is manufactured in a hygienic environment, using both best practices and the safest ingredients.


Share this


March 2024

M T W T F S S
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728 29 3031

0 user(s) viewing

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

Categories

My Picture