04/07/2026 by Thomas Clark
Whether they’re ordering gear oil or grease, lubricant selection is a critical task for company procurement teams.
While checking that viscosity indexes and operating conditions are a match for applications is essential, choosing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommended and approved products is often the move companies make. However, there is a distinct difference between OEM approved and OEM recommended lubricants. Here, we look at what these labels mean, how they differ and the impact they can have on how equipment performs and the validity of their warranties.
What is an OEM approved lubricant?
Lubricants with labels stating they are OEM approved have been sent to equipment manufactures as a physical sample. The OEM then tests the product to exacting standards and the product is approved and can carry their official certification. The approval represents official proof of quality and validates that the oil will protect against specific sludge, wear-and-tear and emissions as standard.
What is an OEM recommended lubricant?
Sometimes referred to as a “meets specification” lubricant, OEM recommended lubricants are formulated to match specific standards by a third party; however, they are untested by manufacturers and do not have official certification.
As they are not officially supported, OEM recommended labels are often described as marketing claims. Recommended products commonly come at a lower price point as they have skipped the OEM licensing and approval process, which can be costly.
What are the key differences between OEM approved and OEM recommended lubricants?
Verified products, OEM approved oils and greases have passed rigorous proprietary laboratory and practical real-use tests conducted by the equipment manufacturer. OEM recommended products, on the other hand, have been self-certified only by the lubricant blender, so that they match specific performance and chemical targets.
OEM approved lubricants are recognised as the safest way to maintain the manufacturer warranty of mobile and stationary machinery. If a breakdown occurs, there can be no dispute that the correct lubrication options were being used to service a vehicle or piece of equipment.
Using an OEM recommended lubricant does not carry the same level of protection and can put companies at risk of a voided warranty as the oil or grease was uncertified.
How can you tell if a lubricant is OEM approved or OEM recommended?
When a lubricant carries the official approval of an OEM, it is visible on the product label. OEM approved oils and fluids may state that they are certified or approved and, in some cases, will carry a specific equipment manufacturer specification number. OEM recommended product labels have no official guarantee and use language like “meets specification”, “meets requirements”, “suitable for use” and “recommended for”.
Why is the OEM approved and OEM recommended distinction important?
Official approvals are effectively OEM guarantees. Lubricants that have been awarded with OEM approval officially confirm that the manufacturer guarantees that a product’s formulation, which includes its base oil and additive package, is optimally suited to the unique tolerances, metallurgy, emissions and materials of their equipment.
Recommendations and approvals are not equal. A lubricant that is “recommended” for use will typically comply with broader industry baseline standards. For instance, hydraulic oil used in Europe may meet those set by DIN (German Institute for Standardisation). In contrast, a hydraulic oil that is OEM approved will have undergone highly specific tests demanded by an individual brands like Caterpillar.
The two distinctions can also carry implications for equipment warranties. If companies experience a mechanical breakdown while their equipment is still under warranty, employing a lubricant that isn’t approved by the manufacturer can give the OEM grounds to void the warranty and deny the claim at considerable cost.
It is always best practice to select OEM approved products for equipment. Many leading brands like Mobil, Shell, Paratherm, Morris and many others offer solutions carrying official approvals from leading industry equipment manufacturers. For further details about a lubricant’s OEM approvals, you can contact a specialist supplier.
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