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 is an independently chartered organization consisting of both paid professional staff members and volunteer committees.

What does ICML?

Activities are under way at ISO and ASTM to develop used oil analysis standards. There is a clear need for additional standards in the areas of lubricant selection and application, contamination control, etc. ICML will serve as a rallying point for machinery lubrication practitioners to speak with a common voice by supporting the development of lubrication-related standards and guides, including the support of efforts at ASTM, ISO and other organizations. With ISO’s expected adoption of QS 9000 in place of the existing ISO 9000 standard, more rigor will be demanded to assure quality control over every aspect of running a plant, mine, mill or construction site, including lubrication functions. ICML plays an important role in supporting these activities.

Skilled 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 the following three vital purposes:

  • Create a formal framework of knowledge
  • Raise the profile of those working in the field
  • Provide managers with assurance of skills

ICML currently provides certification for the Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA), Machine Lubrication Technician (MLT) and Laboratory Lubricant Analyst (LLA). ICML is honored that these ICML certifications have been pioneered into ISO 18436-4 and 18436-5 Standards. ICML also regarded the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) guidelines in the development of its certification programs.

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. The first of these awards was the Augustus H. Gill Award, which recognizes excellence in oil analysis, followed by the John R. Battle Award, which recognizes excellence in machinery lubrication. Other awards are planned for the future to recognize laboratories and possibly, new products.

ICML offers industry the following four certifications:

Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA) – These individuals must demonstrate skills in the area of used lubricant analysis for machine condition monitoring. Level I certification is oriented toward the basics of lubrication and sampling, Level II focuses on sampling, test selection and fundamental data interpretation. Level III is directed toward advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting, integration with other technologies and program management.

Machinery Lubrication Technician (MLT) – These individuals must demonstrate skills in the day-to-day activities associated with proper lubrication of machinery. Level I is oriented toward lubrication basics and the proper application and storage of lubricant. Level II is directed toward advanced understanding of lubrication fundamentals, lubricant selection and lubrication schedule and program management.

Laboratory Lubricant Analyst (LLA) – These individuals must demonstrate skills in the performance of oil analysis activities typically required of a laboratory technician working in the used lubricant analysis field. Level I is oriented toward the basic aspects of performing common tests in the lab and assuring data quality. Level II is directed toward advanced diagnostics, troubleshooting instrument error and managing lab processes, including testing and service quality.

Machinery Lubrication Engineer (MLE) – These individuals must demonstrate development, implementation and management skills associated with providing general engineering support to a user lubrication program at a typical industrial plant. This certification emphasizes the individual’s understanding of lubricant selection, lubrication and sampling hardware selection and implementation, overall lubrication program design / machinery design / inspection design, procedure development, key supplier relations, optimizing lubricant PMs, lubricant analysis and troubleshooting, lubrication program metrics, lubrication team management, training, and communications.

Source: https://www.icmlonline.com/about_us.aspx