Every formulation we develop is built from day one to meet its target regulatory specification. We prepare all technical documentation for domestic and export market certification — BIS IS 13656 engine oil & IS 7623 grease, EPR used-oil registration on the CPCB portal (2024 rules), ASTM test data packages, TDS, SDS/MSDS, API SP, ACEA, IEC 60296 and NSF H1. We have guided clients through BIS certification since 2010 and understand exactly what is required to pass on the first submission — across product lines as varied as chain lubricant formulation, bio-lubricant & bio-grease formulation and railway lubricant formulation.
| Document | Purpose | Standard / Body | Included For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM Test Data Package | All required test results compiled against specification limits with pass/fail status for each property | BIS / API / ACEA | All certification projects |
| Technical Data Sheet (TDS) | Product specification sheet with all ASTM properties, typical values, and grade information — formatted for customer and end-user use | Customer-facing | All formulation projects |
| Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS) | 16-section GHS-compliant SDS covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first aid, disposal, and transportation information | GHS / Indian Regulations | All formulation projects |
| BIS Application Supporting Document | Test data organised in BIS-required format with accredited lab names, sample identifiers, and test date records | BIS / BEE | BIS certification projects |
| Blending / Manufacturing SOP | Production procedure for your factory team — addition sequence, temperatures, hold times, QC checkpoints | Internal production | All formulation projects |
| QC Acceptance Protocol | Which tests to run on every production batch, acceptance limits, corrective actions — for your in-house QC team | Internal QC | All formulation projects |
| API Certification Documentation | Performance claim documentation formatted for API licensing — links ASTM test results to specific API category requirements | API | API certification projects |
| ACEA Technical File | European Automobile Manufacturers Association test file compilation for ACEA sequence claims | ACEA | ACEA projects |
Extended Producer Responsibility for used oil took effect in India on 1 April 2024 under amendments to the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules. Every base-oil producer, lubricant manufacturer, and lubricant importer is now responsible for the collection and environmentally sound disposal/recycling of a fixed percentage of the oil they place on the market. The percentage rises every year.
| Financial Year | EPR Target (% of base-oil quantity placed on market) | What This Means in Practice | Deadline to File Half-Yearly Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024–25 | 5% | For every 100 kL of new base oil sold/imported, 5 kL equivalent of used oil must be collected & channelised to a CPCB-authorised recycler. | 30 Oct 2024 & 30 Apr 2025 |
| FY 2025–26 | 10% | Target doubles. Producers with no in-house collection must purchase EPR certificates from registered recyclers. | 30 Oct 2025 & 30 Apr 2026 |
| FY 2026–27 | 20% | Target doubles again. Shortfall triggers Environmental Compensation (EC) per the Rules. | 30 Oct 2026 & 30 Apr 2027 |
| FY 2027–28 onwards | 50%+ (notified annually) | CPCB notifies an updated target each year, aligned with the Hazardous Waste Rules baseline. | Half-yearly per Rule notification |
Generic environmental-compliance firms can fill the CPCB forms. They can’t advise on which base oil chemistry attracts higher used-oil recovery value, how a re-refining process actually works, or whether your formulation will survive the re-refining cycle. Lubechem combines EPR registration support with our underlying lubricant chemistry knowledge — often as part of an ongoing annual R&D partnership — so the same engagement that gets you registered also tells you how to design your products and choose recycler partners that minimise the per-kg compliance cost. Compliance work dovetails with our lubricant process optimisation, lubricant & grease plant setup and lubricant & grease troubleshooting practices. We have advised manufacturers on used-oil re-refining process design since the original Hazardous Waste Rules of 2008. See our Product Development R&D service for waste-oil re-refining process advisory.
BIS certification under IS 13656 is mandatory for engine oils sold under the ISI mark — and practically speaking, most organised retail channels and distributors in India require it. Without BIS IS 13656 certification, you cannot use the ISI mark and your product will face significant market access barriers.
Selling to industrial customers (bulk, non-retail) may be possible without BIS certification, but we always recommend certifying — the process is straightforward for a correctly formulated product and significantly expands your market access.
For a single grade with a correctly formulated product, the process from formulation start to certification typically takes 3 to 5 months. The largest variable is ASTM test lab turnaround — the full IS 13656 Annexure A test suite can take 6 to 10 weeks to complete through an NABL lab.
For a full range of 4–6 grades sharing a common additive system, we can often run all grades through testing simultaneously, so the total timeline is similar to a single grade. We have completed 5-grade certifications in 4 months.
Yes. API certification (licensing to display the API donut mark) and ACEA sequence claims can be pursued for export markets and premium domestic products. We design formulations to meet the ASTM engine test limits for the relevant API or ACEA category and prepare the technical data file.
API licensing involves submitting performance claims to the API Institute and paying the applicable licence fee. ACEA claims are self-certification against the ACEA published sequences. We advise on the appropriate route and prepare all technical documentation.
Yes. Under the 2024 amendments to the Hazardous Waste Rules, importers of base oil and finished lubricant are treated as Producers and must register on the CPCB EPR portal. The annual target percentage is calculated on the quantity placed on the Indian market — whether manufactured domestically or imported. Customs clearance increasingly requires a valid EPR Registration Number.
Yes. CPCB-registered re-refiners and recyclers issue EPR certificates against the quantity of used oil they channelise and process. Producers buy these certificates to demonstrate target fulfilment. This is the practical compliance route for most small and mid-sized lubricant manufacturers — setting up an in-house collection network is expensive and not justified below a certain production scale.
We help clients identify and onboard reliable CPCB-registered recyclers, negotiate certificate rates, and maintain the manifest audit trail required for the half-yearly Form 3 return.
Tell us which specification you need and where you are in the process. We respond within one business day with an honest assessment of what is required.