New Certification for the Lubrication Elite

The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) has announced the rollout of a new management-level certification. The Machinery Lubrication Engineer (MLE) certification is aimed at individuals with responsibility for designing, implementing, and managing lubrication programs.

In alignment with ISO 55000, and with input from 45 international subject matter experts, ICML 55.1 Requirements Standard spells out tactical requirements necessary to establish, implement, maintain, and improve consistent management systems and activities in TWELVE interrelated areas of a world-class lubrication program. As an expert in the fields of reliability and lubrication, it has been my pleasure to work with experts from around the world to help build this machinery lubrication certification that will test even the most seasoned lubrication professional.

This machinery lubrication certification targets reliability and asset leaders—with or without engineering degrees—with a strong emphasis in lubrication and oil analysis. The 150-question exam evaluates an individual’s knowledge, understanding, and ability to provide engineering support at a typical industrial plant, whether serving on staff or as a contractor/consultant.

The New International Standard for Lubrication Programs

ICML began developing ICML 55 following the International Organization for Standardization’s publication of the ISO 55000 “Asset Management” standard in 2014. ICML saw the need for a highly tactical, lubrication-specific standard that would supplement the more general ISO document. With technical contributions from a team of over 40 experts, ICML 55 fills that gap with specific requirements and guidelines to establish, implement, maintain, and improve consistent lubrication management systems and activities.

ICML strategically mapped the MLE body of knowledge to ICML 55, which makes the certification ideal for those leading institutional compliance with ICML 55.1 requirements as a tactical step toward ISO 55001 certification. Manufacturing plants that choose to hire or certify MLE personnel can expect them to comprehend ICML 55’s framework and ensure that all relevant factors impacting lubricated asset decision-making are adequately considered by key stakeholders.

The ICML 55 requirements publication, ICML 55.1, has been released for purchase. The ICML 55 offering represents the culmination of many years of work on the part of many technical experts in the fields of machinery lubrication, oil analysis, and asset reliability.  In response to market demand from practitioners worldwide, the ICML 55 standards now provide a framework for companies to achieve systematic progress toward their broader organizational asset management strategies and goals.

The first part of the standard is ICML 55.1, “Requirements for the Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets,” which describes and defines twelve interrelated areas to be incorporated into any sustainable lubrication program plan. To be clear, however, ICML 55.1 does not replace, compete with, or technically conflict with ISO 55001 requirements. It is merely an enabling standard, so users will find that each section of ICML 55.1 aligns with a corresponding section of ISO 55001.

12 INTERRELATED AREAS OF ICML 55

ICML 55.1 is intended to be a companion document in association with ICML 55.2, “Guideline for the Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets,” and ICML 55.3, “Auditors’ Standard Practice and Policies Manual.” These two documents are targeted for publication by year-end 2019 and 2020, respectively. Eventually, an organization will be able to arrange for a qualified ICML 55 auditor to certify its compliance across the following twelve areas, thus publicly validating that its lubricated asset management program has achieved optimum performance at the highest levels of machinery reliability.

1. SKILLS: Job Task, Training, and Competency
2. MACHINE: Machine Lubrication and Condition Monitoring Readiness
3. LUBRICANT: Lubricant System Design and Selection
4. LUBRICATION: Planned and Corrective Maintenance Tasks
5. TOOLS: Lubrication Support Facilities and Tools
6. INSPECTION: Machine and Lubricant Inspection
7. LUBRICANT ANALYSIS: Condition Monitoring and Lubrication Analysis
8. TROUBLESHOOT: Fault/Failure Troubleshooting and RCA
9. WASTE: Lubricant Waste Handling and Management
10. ENERGY: Energy Conservation and Environmental Impact
11. RECLAIM: Oil Reclamation and System Decontamination
12. MANAGEMENT: Program Management and Metrics

How to Get Certified

While there is no MLE prerequisite to hold a professional engineering degree or any other ICML certification, candidates will likely find that MLA and MLT training and certifications can be helpful when preparing to become a certified lubrication specialist. The Body of Knowledge (BoK) covered by MLE is publicly available at ICML’s website. Any interested parties can review the BoK and arrange an MLE exam session through ICML’s exam website.

If you are interested in obtaining the MLE certification, the ICML 55 / MLE overview brochure can be found here. For additional questions about ICML 55 and MLE registration, contact info@lubecouncil.org.

Jeremy Wright is the Director of Project Management at Advanced Technology Services Inc. and is world-renowned expert in the field of industrial machinery lubrication management and asset reliability.