ICML standards – information worth knowing

In September 2023, the ICML 55.2 Guideline for the Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets was published. Ecol CEO Wojciech Majka co-authored the document and was responsible for producing and writing Chapter 5: “Lubrication Support Equipment and Tools.” What is the chapter about and what is actually worth knowing about ICML standards?

    ICML: International Council for Machinery Lubrication standards

    ICML standards – a practical guide to support mechanical asset management

    ICML (International Council for Machinery Lubrication) Standards 55.0, 55.1 and 55.2 provide a practical guide to support the management of mechanical assets (Assets Management) requiring lubrication, and are intended to establish guidelines in this regard. To date there have been three publications under ICML Standard 55:

    • 55.0: Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets Overview
    • 55.1: Requirements for the Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets
    • 55.2: Guideline for the Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets

    The introduction of Standard 55.3 (Auditors’ Standard Practice and Policies Manual), which is expected to define standard rules and policies for auditors, is planned for 2025.

    Where did the ICML standard come from?

    Developing of Standard ICML 55® began more than ten years ago, in response to market needs. The website machinerylubrication.com features a statement by Jim Fitch, ICML Founding Director and CEO at Noria Corporation, which sheds some light on the beginning of the standard development process:

    “About a decade ago, at an ICML board meeting, the idea of a global standard for lubricant management came up. The thought of this was unprecedented, but necessary and overdue”.

    The work coincided with the 2014 release of ISO 55000, an international standard covering the management of all types of assets, by the International Organization for Standardization.

    “We realized that bringing together experts in all aspects of lubrication on a global scale, and then using their time and focus to create such a document, would be quite a challenge” explains Fitch.

    ICML 55.0 – answers the question “why?”

    ICML 55.0 is a standard covering general principles of lubrication management, which covers the planning, implementation and monitoring of lubrication strategies in industrial plants. It defines basic guidelines for lubrication management, including identifying lubrication needs, selecting appropriate lubricants and planning maintenance interventions.

    The standard serves as a guide for organizations looking to effectively manage their lubrication system, providing a structured outline of principles and terminology, and encouraging well-established best practices with regard to various mechanical lubrication assets. It is designed to be structurally compatible with the international ISO 55001 standard.

    ICML 55.1 – defines “what to do”

    ICML 55.1 focuses on lubrication management in specific applications or areas of industry (Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets). It describes the requirements for activities, and not the way in which they should be performed. The standard identifies and defines the need for well-established best practices for a wide range of mechanical assets requiring lubrication. Observing the standard will enable the organization to achieve its goals for effective and efficient management of lubrication and lubrication management policies, strategies and plans. The standard was developed by consensus, by 45 experts and leaders in this field from around the world.

    The ICML 55.1 lubrication management system focuses on twelve areas of particular importance that an organization must establish, document, manage and maintain to meet the organization’s lubrication management strategy and system and successfully become ICML 55 certified. These areas describe and define the requirements to be considered in developing any successful, sustainable lubrication program plan. These are:

    ICML 55.1 twelve areas



    AD 1. SKILLS: Task, training and competencies

    To ensure the success of the program, it is critical that lubrication personnel and program management personnel have the knowledge, skills, training and qualifications to meet the requirements of the lubrication management program. This item specifies the skills required based on the program’s core requirements.

    Those responsible for the management, supervision and/or implementation of the lubrication program must have the required knowledge, professional skills and qualifications. These required competencies can be obtained through training, courses and certification. The organization is required to ensure that personnel attend the appropriate training in order to perform their tasks effectively.



    AD 2. MACHINE: Lubrication of machinery and readiness for status monitoring

    This item analyzes the decision-making process and parameters used to select appropriate lubricants to match equipment design and operating conditions, as well as ways to monitor lubricant status.

    Lubricating machinery is a more advanced process than is commonly thought. It requires deep knowledge of machine design and operating conditions. Even minor changes, such as modifications to lubricant viscosity or additives, can mean that the lubrication process needs to be adjusted. It is therefore important to monitor these changes, especially if the condition of a machine deteriorates, which can lead to serious economic consequences or affect its reliability.

    This chapter also focuses on optimizing lubricant selection and the lubricant’s lifespan. The balance between reliability and cost that must be carefully calibrated. Monitoring the condition of used lubricants provides valuable diagnostic information to determine whether a lubricant meets minimum performance and economic requirements. In addition, the lubricant acts as a medium for information about the condition of the machine, carrying particles associated with wear or foreign material. Measuring and monitoring such particles is a key practice in estimating a machine’s current and future reliability.



    AD 3. LUBRICANTS: Design and selection of the system of lubricants

    This item refers to grease application systems, their operational design, ergonomics, standardization of components / systems, and failure rates in cases of system failure and loss of grease. Apart from supply systems, this item also specifies requirements to be considered when selecting lubricant suppliers.

    A lubricant is an essential part of a machine, and choosing the right lubricant supplier can be crucial to effective lubrication and machine reliability. The proper selection of lubricants therefore becomes a strategic factor for achieving the goals of efficient and reliable machinery lubrication. Decisions on the construction and selection of lubrication systems must take into account not only technical issues, but also employee safety, customer expectations, environmental protection and regulatory compliance. This item of the plan is designed to support the overall lubrication management plan, in line with its objectives.

    AD 4. LUBRICATION: Scheduled and corrective maintenance tasks

    This item examines the requirements for safe work practices and all the necessary elements of developing and planning lubrication orders and repair work.

    In a lubrication management plan, the item on scheduled and corrective maintenance is critical to maintaining machine reliability and efficiency. Scheduled maintenance tasks are performed regularly or at specified intervals, covering both preventive, ongoing and periodic activities. Corrective maintenance tasks, on the other hand, are carried out when problems and conditions arise that do not occur regularly within a certain period of time. Both types of tasks require identical steps, conditions, and tools, and are of the same duration, but the main difference lies in the way they are planned.

    For example, oil changes may be scheduled regularly, but in the case of corrective maintenance, the decision to change the lubricant may be based on deterioration of the lubricant. Then, corrective maintenance is performed only if it is determined that the condition of the lubricant needs to be restored by replacing it.



    AD 5. TOOLS: Lubrication support equipment and tools

    This item relates to infrastructure (oil conditioning rooms / lubricant and equipment storage facilities) and the necessary tools and equipment required to effectively transfer lubricants to the machine with minimal contamination.

    This item focuses on the appropriate equipment and tools needed to effectively manage machine lubrication. It includes a variety of tools, devices and equipment that are not only an integral part of the lubrication management plan, but must also comply with it. It is the organization’s responsibility to ensure that these items are maintained in good condition, which includes regular maintenance, calibration, upgrading or replacement.



    AD 6. INSPECTION: Inspection of machinery and lubricants

    Effective control depends on optimal observation of machine and lubricant condition. This item details the type of inspections to be carried out and provides a step-by-step plan for creating an inspection-based program.

    Inspection plays a key role in providing immediate feedback on the current state of machinery, enabling rapid recognition of possible changes in operating conditions. The data collected during the inspection, in both the scheduled inspection and other scheduled inspections, is analyzed and linked to condition monitoring data. These data streams include a variety of information such as the results of lubricant analysis, vibrations, and ultrasounds, as well as operational parameters obtained from sensors such as temperature, flow rate or pressure. The inspection is intended not only to ensure that components and machinery are properly lubricated, but also to increase knowledge and awareness within the organization regarding the proper condition of the lubricated components.

    The acquisition of operating parameter data is a type of predictive inspection aimed at analysis and evaluation, which can reveal potential defects that require corrective maintenance. If defects are detected, corrective actions can be implemented in conjunction with other proactive tasks, aiming to effectively eliminate the problem. Inspections play an important role in supporting root cause analysis (RCA) related to the symptoms of a machine or machine component failure, and the identification of a potential loss of lubricant suitability or lubrication system failure. Through systematic inspections, it is possible to react quickly to changes in the condition of machinery and effectively manage the lubrication program.



    AD 7. LUBRICANT ANALYSIS: Status monitoring and lubrication analysis

    Item 7 focuses on the minimum requirements needed to implement a lubricant analysis program.

    Chapter 7 of the Lubrication Program Management Plan focuses on a key condition monitoring technique – lubricant analysis. Lubricant analysis is the primary monitoring method in the lubricant management plan, providing important research data and information related to the condition of the lubricant or the machine.

    The purpose of this analysis is to ensure that machine components are properly lubricated, and the information gathered helps to understand the current state of lubricated components and machinery. The use of standardized testing methods and practices is crucial, as documents developed in accordance with standards contain information that allows the precision of testing data to be established. This precision includes aspects of repeatability and reproducibility of test results.



    AD 8. TROUBLESHOOTING: Defect/failure resolution and root cause analysis

    When problems and failures occur, managing, documenting and understanding that failure can prevent it from happening again, thus increasing reliability.

    This chapter focuses on effective handling of defects and failures, as well as the root cause analysis to effectively counter recurring problems. This item, consistent with the lubricant management plan, requires the implementation, documentation and maintenance of processes and procedures for dealing with lubricant and lubrication-related failures, incidents, potential failures or non-conformities. Preventing repeated failures requires a deep analysis of the root causes and other factors that lead to failures.

    Understanding these causes enables effective development of corrective actions, eliminating the problem at its source. It is important to avoid resolving individual failures merely superficially, which can result in the problem being transferred to other components and systems within the facility, increasing the risk of further failures.



    AD 9. WASTE: Management and handling of waste lubricants

    If waste management is to be effective, clear processes and procedures must be implemented for the effective disposal of waste lubricants. This chapter defines the handling and management of waste lubricants, and defines and identifies what constitutes waste in the plant environment.

    The organization must manage lubricants and consumables with an emphasis on minimizing waste generation. In addition, the plan calls for the development of effective documents and procedures related to the transportation, disposal and regeneration of lubricants, lubrication systems and consumables to meet lubrication management requirements.

    The introduction of inspection and analysis plans is key to meeting both regulatory and environmental standards, including detailed technical instructions to meet lubricant management objectives, as well as safety data sheet (SDS) information on all lubricants and materials used. Effective waste lubricant procedures are key to sustainable and efficient lubricant management within an organization.



    AD 10. ENERGY: Energy savings and environmental impact

    Effective lubrication practices reduce carbon emissions. This chapter describes the areas to be focused on when performing maintenance to get the best results in this area.

    As part of the lubricant management plan, an important element is the focus on energy savings and minimal environmental impact. For example, the right choice of lubricant can significantly reduce energy consumption while extending machine life and reducing friction. Both the reduction in wear and tear and the reduction in friction have a positive effect on overall energy savings and have a positive impact on the environment. Optimal use of lubricants leads to a reduction in emissions, which helps to reduce negative environmental impacts such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions.

    Effective lubrication and efficient energy management go hand in hand, contributing to both economic operation of machinery and environmental protection.



    AD 11. RECOVERY: Oil regeneration and system decontamination

    This item specifies how lubricants can be recovered for further use.

    The lubrication program management plan must include an element of oil regeneration and system decontamination. The organization must establish, implement, and maintain documented processes and/or procedures that underpin oil regeneration and system decontamination as part of the lubricant management plan.



    AD 12. MANAGEMENT: Program management and indicators

    The final chapter examines how management structure, authorizations and accountability affect the implementation and maintenance of effectiveness in the execution of a lubrication program. The item also refers to documentation, data and reporting indicators required for effective program management.

    An organization wishing to implement ICML standards must develop indicators to monitor the effectiveness of all twelve items of the lubrication program.

    ICML 55.2 – explains “how”

    ICML 55.2 is a standard that focuses on audits and evaluations of lubrication systems (“Guideline for the Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets”). It specifies procedures for evaluations, audits and tests that are intended to verify the effectiveness and compliance of lubrication systems with accepted standards and to identify areas for improvement.

    ICML 55.2 is designed to provide an organization with practical guidelines for optimizing a lubrication program for its mechanical physical assets. ICML 55.2 combines the knowledge and experience of the world’s top lubrication experts to provide an easy-to-understand, practical implementation guide to complement ICML 55.1.

    ICML 55.2 focuses on twelve interrelated areas that constitute the organization’s lubrication program plan. These interrelated areas represent the twelve distinct auditable items defined in ICML 55.1 to demonstrate compliance for certification purposes.

    ICML 55.2 is designed to illustrate the value of each item and provide the reader with many examples. It includes many checklists of typical items to pay attention to in order to confirm compliance with the standard. ICML 55.2 can serve as a practical manual for implementing a world-class lubrication management program.

    ICML 55.3 – upcoming standards for auditors

    ICML 55.3 – The “Handbook of Standard Practices and Principles for Auditors” is scheduled to be introduced in 2025, and is expected to define a procedure for certifying an organization’s compliance in all twelve areas (listed in ICML 55.1), conducted by a qualified auditor in accordance with ICML 55.

    Chapter 5 of ICML 55.2, co-authored by Ecol President Wojciech Majka
    Ecol CEO Wojciech Majka, as co-author of the document, was responsible for the development and writing of Chapter 5: “Lubrication support equipment and tools”.

    Ecol’s contribution to the development of standard 55.2

    The fifth chapter, titled “Lubrication support equipment and tools”, focuses on key aspects of lubrication management support infrastructure. In order to effectively achieve the goals set out in the lubrication management plan, it is important to properly receive, store and dispense lubricants, and properly handle lubricant-related systems, parts and consumables.

    The tools (equipment, instruments, etc.) used in lubrication management operations are necessary to support the lubrication function and are an essential part of the lubrication process and plan. Effective management of these elements plays a key role in ensuring optimal performance and durability of machines.

    Creating a lubrication facility (Lube Room) with the right infrastructure is crucial to keeping assets in the best possible condition. In this part of the standard, good practices are described with examples, concerning issues including:

    • requirements for rooms with lubricants
    • ways to manage and rotate lubricants, tools, filters and other accessories
    • mitigating risks associated with mismanagement of resources
    • storage requirements, the designation system, and organization of the work area and space for ergonomic and safe performance of lubrication tasks
    • processes that ensure that the quality requirements of lubricants are met, specification compliance, the process of inspection and verification of the quality guaranteed by the supplier, and ways of conditioning oil
    • the process of sampling lubricants and managing representative samples for testing
    • proper handling and management of waste in accordance with the organization’s standards and requirements concerning safety and environmental protection, as well as local regulations


    The Lube Room is not only a physical facility, but also a comprehensive control and operation system, where observing the highest standards in design, asset management, quality control and work safety is key to effectively maintaining assets in optimal technical condition.

    Ecol CEO, Wojciech Majka on the ICML Board of Directors

    On 31 May, it was officially announced that Ecol CEO Wojciech Majka had been appointed to the Board of Directors of the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML), based in Broken Arrow, Tulsa, USA. Find out more

    Ecol in ICML structures

    Ecol is proud to serve as a full member of the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML), focusing on developing and promoting best practices related to lubrication management. Ecol’s membership in ICML underscores a commitment to high industry standards and a desire to support ICML’s mission on a European and global scale.

    The company plays an active role in ICML initiatives, helping to shape the future of machinery lubrication. This cooperation enables the exchange of knowledge, experience and innovative solutions among members, which translates into improving the quality of machinery lubrication worldwide.

    ICML’s mission includes not only raising awareness and promoting best practices in the lubrication field, but also developing standardization and certification for lubrication professionals. Ecol’s activities as a full member are part of this global context, helping to build a solid foundation for effective machinery lubrication management, as demonstrated by the original contribution of Ecol CEO Wojciech Majka to the ICML 55.2 standard published.

    ICML in practice

    A key item of Ecol’s strategy intended to raise machinery lubrication standards is the certification of specialists, helping to increase the quality of lubrication management in Poland’s industrial sector. Ecol promotes ICML competency credentials in Poland and has the largest group of people with prestigious certifications in Poland.

    Referring to ICML standardization records is now an integral part of the continuous improvement process at the Lubrication Service Department and the company, where internal audits are conducted to confirm compliance with the guidelines.

    The 2022 review of the lubrication process in accordance with ICML 55.1 at the Temelín Nuclear Power Station was undoubtedly a milestone on the way to acquiring another lubrication service, in this case abroad.

    Currently, implementation work is underway on the Ecol System™ information system, ensuring 100% compliance with the twelve subject areas described in the ICML standards. This year, MLT I, MLA I, MLT II, and MLA II examinations are also planned for nearly 40 employees in total.

    Ecol promotes the possession of ICML competence credentials in the country and has the largest group of people with these prestigious certificates in Poland.

    International Council for Machinery Lubrication

    ICML (International Council for Machinery Lubrication) is an independent non-profit organization established in 2001 to support lubrication professionals. ICML comprises professional staff and volunteer committees that operate independently. ICML serves as a certification body for professionals in the areas of machinery lubrication and oil analysis worldwide, giving awards to companies that excel in these areas. It is also a membership body, supporting individuals and organizations, as well as a standardization body developing the ICML 55® standard on lubricant management. ICML certification examinations are conducted in accordance with ISO 18436 and are available in many languages around the world.

    Books of ICML 55.2, 55.1, 55.0 standards.

    Worth remembering

    ICML 55 standards are a set of three international standards that define lubrication management best practices. These standards have been developed by the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) and are compatible with ISO 55.000 and PAS 55.

    • 1. ICML 55.1 is a general standard that defines a framework for lubrication management. It defines critical items of lubrication management, such as lubrication policy, lubrication organization, and processes.

    • 2. ICML 55.2 addresses lubrication management based on a reference condition. This standard focuses on an in-depth examination of the twelve lubrication management plans / items described in ICML 55.1. Its purpose is to demonstrate the value of each item and provide practical examples to help understand how to effectively implement these plans.

    • 3. ICML 55.3 – scheduled to be introduced in 2025, ICML 55.3 is expected to define a procedure for certifying an organization’s compliance in all twelve areas (listed in ICML 55.1), carried out by a qualified auditor.

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