February 2026: New ISO Standards Refine Grease Testing in Petroleum and Energy Technologies

The petroleum and energy technologies sector advances again this February 2026 with the publication of two pivotal ISO standards. These new documents, ISO 12940-1:2026 and ISO 12940-2:2026, elevate the assessment and assurance of lubricating grease stability—critical for ensuring optimal performance, reduced maintenance, and improved equipment lifespans across a wide range of industrial uses. Covering both dry and wet test conditions, these standards offer enhanced repeatability and relevance for contemporary applications in the sector.

Overview / Introduction

Petroleum and energy technologies form the backbone of countless industries, supporting everything from heavy machinery operation to precision manufacturing. Central to this reliability is the performance of lubricating greases, which must withstand diverse mechanical and environmental stresses.

Standards in this sector, especially those focusing on grease stability, ensure that lubricants maintain their protective properties under real-world conditions. This article presents the latest developments: two new ISO standards published in February 2026. Readers will gain an in-depth understanding of these roll stability tests, their practical impacts, and how to achieve or maintain compliance as regulations evolve.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 12940-1:2026 - Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease: Dry Condition Test

Petroleum products and lubricants — Determination of roll stability of lubricating grease — Part 1: Dry condition test

This international standard specifies a laboratory method for evaluating the change in consistency of lubricating grease when subjected to mechanical rolling under dry conditions—key for performance in bearings and enclosed systems. The method assesses consistency through the cone penetration measurement, focusing on greases within the range of 175 × 0.1 mm to 385 × 0.1 mm as per ISO 2137.

Scope and Key Requirements

• Applies to lubricating greases of various thickener types, specifically those whose consistency is within the defined cone penetration range.
• Utilizes a roll stability test apparatus, simulating stresses encountered in real-world applications, such as gearboxes and bearings.
• The procedure includes equipment preparation, standardized test cycles at ambient and elevated temperatures, and precise determination of post-test penetration values.
• Results report both repeatability and reproducibility, supporting robust quality management systems.

Target Users and Implementation

• Lubricant manufacturers, industrial users, quality control labs, and engineers responsible for rotating equipment.
• Provides traceable, repeatable testing methodology to verify product mechanical stability, essential for procurement and maintenance planning.
• Implementation may require updating internal test protocols and staff training on apparatus operation and safety precautions due to potential hazards in test materials and methods.

Notable Changes and Implications

• Updates align test procedures with current industry demands for tighter precision and more practical correlation with field performance.
• Improved clarity in reporting requirements and expanded guidance on apparatus set-up.

Key highlights:

• Simulates real-world mechanical stress on grease in dry environments
• Specifies consistency changes via cone penetration before and after testing
• Enables reproducible and comparable results for global trade and quality assurance

Access the full standard:View ISO 12940-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 12940-2:2026 - Roll Stability of Lubricating Grease: Wet Condition Test

Petroleum products and lubricants — Determination of roll stability of lubricating grease — Part 2: Wet condition test

Extending the principles of Part 1, this standard provides a method for evaluating how lubricating grease consistency is affected by mechanical rolling in the presence of water—vital for applications where moisture or water ingress may occur.

Scope and Key Requirements

• Focuses on changes in grease consistency due to mechanical stress in wet environments, measured via cone penetration.
• Applies to greases within the same cone penetration range as Part 1 (175 × 0.1 mm to 385 × 0.1 mm).
• Introduces standardized procedures for both ambient and elevated temperature testing while factoring in water as a critical variable.
• Specifies alternative procedures and detailed sample preparation to accommodate a range of industrial scenarios, emphasizing water resistance and mechanical stability.
• Requires reporting of all test conditions and results, emphasizing traceability and reproducibility in quality control.

Target Users and Implementation

• Designed for lubricant suppliers, automotive OEMs, asset managers in heavy industry, and laboratories conducting qualification or certification testing.
• Implementation ensures selection (or development) of greases that retain consistency and lubricating properties when exposed to water, minimizing failures due to washout or softening.
• May prompt review of lubricant selection and use in environments susceptible to water, such as open gears, marine systems, and wet facilities.

Notable Changes and Implications

• Sets clear, unified procedures where previous industry practice was more fragmented, promoting comparability of results across suppliers and plants.
• Aids in compliance with increasingly rigorous global quality expectations and procurement criteria.

Key highlights:

• Evaluates grease stability in the presence of water — critical for wet or humid operating conditions
• Enhances confidence in product performance and longevity
• Supports rigorous product comparisons and compliance with top-tier operational requirements

Access the full standard:View ISO 12940-2:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The adoption of these new ISO standards has far-reaching implications for businesses operating in the petroleum and energy technologies sector:

• Quality Assurance: By establishing robust, repeatable methods for assessing grease roll stability in both dry and wet conditions, organizations can rely on data-driven selection and maintenance of lubricants, directly reducing downtime and extending equipment life.

• Global Trade: Certification to these standards supports procurement and product specification worldwide, simplifying transactions for manufacturers, buyers, and large-scale operators with multi-national reach.

• Compliance Timelines: While the standards are immediately available, organizations should plan for a phased implementation—updating internal procedures, retraining lab staff, and requalifying existing product lines as needed.

• Risk Mitigation: Non-compliance could lead to increased risk of bearing failure, lubrication breakdown under adverse environmental conditions, and higher maintenance costs—making timely adoption a key risk management strategy.

Technical Insights

Shared Technical Requirements:

• Consistency measurement is always performed using cone penetration (as per ISO 2137) before and after mechanical rolling.
• Both standards require rigorous apparatus preparation, controlled environmental conditions, and detailed documentation of procedures and outcomes.

Testing and Certification:

• Laboratories should ensure calibration of penetration measurement devices to comply with ISO 2137 and maintain test result validity.
• Certification according to these ISO documents strengthens reliability claims and customer trust, and is often a prerequisite for supplying to industries with stringent safety and quality demands.

Best Practices for Implementation:

1. Review Current Protocols: Examine how existing grease qualification tests compare with the methods outlined in ISO 12940-1 and ISO 12940-2.
2. Update Training: Train quality control and lab staff in the latest sample preparation, apparatus operation, and result interpretation methods.
3. Document Results: Leverage the improved reporting requirements for audit trails and regulatory submissions.
4. Engage with Suppliers: Ensure that upstream lubricant suppliers are aware of and implement these standards in their own processes.

Conclusion / Next Steps

February 2026 marks a significant update for lubricant testing within petroleum and energy technologies. ISO 12940-1:2026 and ISO 12940-2:2026 set new benchmarks for grease stability testing, enabling organizations to specify, test, and procure lubricants with greater confidence in their field performance—even under the most challenging conditions.

Organizations are encouraged to:

• Acquire and study the full texts of these standards via iTeh Standards for detailed implementation guidance
• Update internal testing regimes to integrate the new procedures
• Train teams and communicate changes throughout the supply chain
• Stay informed by monitoring further updates and best practices through standards platforms and professional networks

Adopting these standards promptly will not only bolster quality and reliability but also position your organization as a leader in compliance and operational excellence.