NSF Registration and Certification for Lubricants: everything you need to know

In the food industry, maintaining the highest quality and safety standards is vital. NSF registration for lubricants plays an important role in achieving this objective. This designation signifies that a product has undergone rigorous evaluation by NSF International, a respected independent organisation. As a result, NSF registration earns the trust of consumers, manufacturers, retailers, and regulatory bodies globally.

About NSF International

Founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation and renamed NSF International in 1990, it is a non-profit organisation committed to safeguarding public health through the development of standards and certification programmes. Their expertise extends across various sectors, with a significant focus on the food industry

The importance of NSF Certification

• Enhanced consumer trust and producer confidence: NSF registration instils confidence in both consumers and manufacturers that products are safe and meet the highest quality standards.
• Recognition by regulatory bodies: regulatory bodies worldwide acknowledge NSF registration as a reliable indicator of product safety and quality.

NSF Registration Categories for Lubricants

NSF International categorises lubricants into distinct classes based on their intended use within the food processing industry. This categorisation is crucial in determining which lubricant is suitable for a specific application. All NSF registered products are listed in the publicly accessible NSF White Book, which can be searched by product name or manufacturer to verify registration status.

NSF H1 Classification: Incidental Food Contact

Lubricants with H1 classification are suitable for situations where incidental contact with food may occur. NSF notes that, because incidental food contact is possible, only the minimum amount needed for the lubricant to be effective should be used. The trace level of the lubricant in the final product may not exceed 10 ppm. NSF H1 registered lubricants are not intended to be added directly to food.

NSF H2 Classification: No Food Contact

H2-classified lubricants are permitted for use within the food processing industry, but only in areas where no potential for food contact exists. This means neither the lubricant nor the lubricated component may come into contact with food. H2 products are explicitly not food grade; that designation is reserved for H1 and 3H. To qualify as H2, a lubricant must be free from certain hazardous substances, such as heavy metals and known carcinogens.

NSF 3H Classification: Direct Food Contact

NSF 3H is the registration category for release agents applied directly to surfaces that contact food, primarily to prevent food from adhering during processing. Unlike H1 (incidental contact) and H2 (no food contact), 3H products are intended for direct food contact, which makes their ingredient requirements the most restrictive of the lubricant-related categories. NSF 3H release agents are typically used on surfaces such as grills, ovens, loaf pans and chopping boards, as well as on equipment like knives and mincers, to prevent food from sticking.

NSF 537: PFAS-free certification for food-grade lubricants

NSF has added a certification as an addition to H1 and 3H, which gives the user deeper insight into the composition of the certified lubricants: NSF 537. NSF 537 is an additional certification for food-grade lubricants that verifies the absence of intentionally added PFAS and compliance with NSF's PFAS assessment criteria. It complements existing NSF H1 or 3H registrations by providing verification that the product is PFAS-free according to the NSF 537 standard. Interflon is the first lubricant supplier to hold NSF 537 certification across a complete food-grade portfolio.

ISO 21469 Certification: Hygiene Across the Whole Process

Alongside the H-classifications, the international standard ISO 21469 sets out hygiene requirements specifically for lubricants that may come into incidental contact with food during production. Where the H1 classification focuses mainly on whether a lubricant’s ingredients are safe for incidental contact, ISO 21469 goes a step further: it covers the hygiene of the entire process: the formulation, manufacture, packaging and handling of the lubricant. The standard is also recognised in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and animal feed industries. 

ISO 21469 is not a one-time approval. The certification includes annual auditing of the production site. Furthermore, the food-grade lubricants are tested regularly, confirming they still match the approved, food-safe recipe. That gives the reassurance that a lubricant is not only safe in its make-up, but is also produced and handled safely and consistently. 

All Interflon food-grade lubricants with H1 registration are ISO 21469 certified. For our customers, this means: 

• Assurance beyond ingredients: confirmation that products are made consistently under independently audited, hygienic conditions, which reduces the risk of contamination. 
• Reduced risk: helps you avoid contamination-related problems such as product recalls, and the reputational and financial damage that can follow. 
• Easier audits: the standard provides a recognised, documented certification that supports your HACCP and Food Safety Plans and helps you stay audit-ready. 
• International recognition: ISO 21469 is accepted worldwide, is required by law in some markets (for example, Brazil), and is specified by many leading food producers, which simplifies compliance across regions.

Conclusion

A thorough understanding of NSF registration is essential for anyone involved in the production and processing of food products. By selecting the appropriate NSF-registered lubricants and embedding these in your HACCP and Food Safety Plans, you can strengthen the safety of your products and stay aligned with stringent industry standards.

Expert support available

Contact our expert team for any questions you may have about NSF certification, HACCP, food-grade lubricants, audits, or MOSH MOAH.