Tractor Hydraulic Fluid – New Labeling Requirements on the Horizon

The National Conference on Weights and Measures held its 2019 interim meeting last month, and at that meeting its Laws and Regulations Committee made the decision to move forward voting on a number of revisions to Handbook 130 that would impact labeling of Tractor Hydraulic Fluid (THF). In what should be of particular interest to lubricant manufacturers, marketers, retailers and consumers, is language that will require display of a cautionary statement on THF labels for products only meeting specifications that are no longer deemed active by the original equipment manufacturer.

The revisions to the Uniform Regulation for the Method of Sale of Commodities would require that any obsolete equipment manufacturer specifications on THF are clearly identified as “obsolete” and accompanied by the following warning on the front-of-package label in clearly legible font size and color:

Caution: Some of the specifications are no longer deemed active by the original equipment manufacturer. Significant harm to the transmission, hydraulic system, seals, final drive or axles is possible when using in applications in which it is not intended.

The above warning is not required if the fluid claims to meet current original equipment manufacturers’ specifications and refers to thereby preceding specifications.

The PQIA believes a cautionary statement on labels of THF only meeting obsolete specifications is in the best interest of consumers and marketers. For this reason, PQIA supports the revisions.

The revisions in their current draft form can be seen at the links below:

• Updated Proposed Revisions to Section B (12-20-2018)
• Updated Proposed Revisions to Section G (12-20-2018)
• OEM Specification Supplement for THF (12-20-2018)