NSF Certification Underscores Summit's Focus on Food Safety

ANN ARBOR, Mich. & TYLER, Texas, Nov 12, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NSF today announced that KL Texas, L.P. (dba Summit Industrial Products), a worldwide leader in synthetic lubricant technology, is the first company in North America to receive Certification to ISO 21469: Safety of machinery - Lubricants with Incidental Product Contact -- Hygiene requirements.

According to a recent article in Machinery Lubrication(1), it is estimated that a significant proportion (60 percent or greater) of U.S. food and beverage companies are not using incidental food-contact lubricants. This is important as only lubricants with incidental food contact may be safely used on machinery used for producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food.

"Obtaining Certification to ISO 21469 is important to Summit because our customers in the food industry want assurance that the products they buy meet strict quality and safety standards," said Summit President Fred Pate. "We believe by working with NSF to achieve independent certification, we not only improve the quality of our products, we also improve the confidence of our customers."

ISO 21469 specifies hygiene requirements for the formulation, manufacture, use and handling of lubricants, which may come into contact with products during manufacturing or processing. The international standard applies to lubricants intended for use in food production, as well as cosmetic, pharmaceutical and animal feed industries.

"Certification to ISO 21469 by an independent, third party provides lubricant manufacturers with a means to obtain international acceptance for their products," said Sarah Krol, NSF Business Unit Manager. "By obtaining certification, Summit is emphasizing their overall commitment to safety."

Summit's dedication to quality and to the environment is further demonstrated by its ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems registration, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems registration, and OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems registration. Summit's products have been registered by NSF's Nonfood Registration Program since 2004. Summit also has Kosher and Halal certification for many of their food grade products.