In recognizing the need for standardization of hygiene requirements for food-grade lubricants, in 2006 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 21469-Safety of Machinery — Lubricants with Incidental Product Contact.
ISO 21469 is a voluntary standard that specifies hygiene requirements for the formulation, manufacture and use of lubricants, which may contact products during manufacturing or processing. The standard applies beyond food applications and includes lubricants used for processing cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, animal feed and food packaging, where hygiene is of particular concern. Although voluntary, the food industry has already taken notice and some global food companies are now adopting ISO 21469 as their minimum requirement for sourcing lubricants.