Mission
The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) is a vendor-neutral, not-for-profit organization founded to serve global industry as the world-class authority on machinery lubrication that advances the optimization of asset reliability, utilization and costs.
ICML's Scope of Service
ICML was originally established to be a vehicle for the exchange of ideas and best practices, to assure the skills of those who work in our field, to recognize excellence and accomplishments, and to invite new participants to join our industry.
Today we support individuals and organizations through programs that strengthen machinery lubrication and oil analysis as technical fields of endeavor. We are a certification body, a standards body, a membership body, and an awards body.
Skills-based Testing and Certification
Certification is the mark of a professional. It helps to ensure that individuals who practice a craft, be it lubricant analysis or medicine, have a defined measure of skills. For the field of machine lubrication, formal certification serves these three vital purposes:
- Creates a formal framework of knowledge
- Raises the profiles of those working in the field
- Provides managers with assurance of skills
ICML currently provides certifications described on our Certifications page.
Standards Development Support
ICML was established in part to address a clear need for additional standards in the areas of lubricant selection and application, contamination control, etc. Since its inception, ICML has always supported such activities at ASTM, ISO and other organizations. Following publication of the ISO 55000 “Asset Management” standard in 2014, ICML marshaled its own worldwide team of 45 technical experts to develop a highly tactical, lubrication-specific standard to supplement the more general ISO document. The result is collectively known as ICML 55, a set of standards that spell out the requirements and guidelines to establish, implement, maintain, and improve consistent lubrication management systems and activities. Read more and order your copy at our ICML 55 Standards page.
Recognition of Excellence
When individuals and organizations accomplish the extraordinary, or perform ordinary tasks extraordinarily well, they contribute to the development of best practices and the advancement of the industry. ICML seeks to recognize these individuals formally with awards of excellence. Starting in 2001, these awards include the Augustus H. Gill Award for excellence in oil analysis, andthe John R. Battle Award for excellence in machinery lubrication. See more at our Awards page, and read stories of our previous Award winners.
Organization of ICML: Contributors & Members
ICML is an independently chartered organization consisting of paid professional staff members, volunteer committees (technical contributors), and members (both organizations and individuals).
Our technical contributors who focus on one or more of the organization's strategic initiatives, such as certification, recognition of excellence, reviewing applications and selecting award recipients, etc. As new initiatives arise, interested and qualified individuals will rally into the specific committee organized for that initiative. Read more about volunteer committees here and see a roster here.
An important aspect of the organization is the recruitment of members, both organizational and individual, who contribute financially to the efforts being carried forth by ICML. Several levels of support with varying benefits and expectations are outlined on our Membership page.