ISO 15380:2023

Overview

ISO 15380:2023 specifies requirements and test criteria for environmentally acceptable hydraulic fluids used in hydraulic systems, particularly hydraulic fluid power systems. The standard covers four HE categories defined in ISO 6743-4: HETG (triglycerides), HEPG (polyglycols), HEES (synthetic esters) and HEPR (polyalphaolefins and related synthetics). It sets delivery-time requirements for biodegradability, ecotoxicity and compositional limits to help suppliers, users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) select and verify biodegradable hydraulic oils that minimize environmental impact from leaks or spills.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Guidance and mandatory requirements for environmentally acceptable hydraulic fluids at the time of delivery, aimed at suppliers, users and OEMs.
• Classification: Fluid categories follow ISO 6743-4; base-oil content minimums are defined (category-defining base fluid mass fraction >50 % and total base fluid content ≥70 % as presented in Table 1).
• Environmental performance: Fluids must meet biodegradability and acute aquatic toxicity requirements. HETG and HEES also require demonstration of carbon of biological origin (biobased carbon) per referenced rules.
• Conformance to EN 16807: Environmental criteria in ISO 15380 reference EN 16807 as baseline requirements for bio-lubricants.
• Sampling and testing: Sampling is specified per ISO 3170; relevant test methods include standards for biodegradability (e.g., CO2 evolution tests), acute toxicity (Daphnia, fish, copepods), filterability (ISO 13357), ageing (TOST methods), viscosity, water content and other performance tests listed in the normative references.
• Delivery-stage requirements: The standard stipulates characteristics and limiting values to be met when the product is delivered to the end user.
• Implementation guidance: Annex A provides guidelines for conversion from mineral-based oils to environmentally acceptable fluids.

Applications and users

ISO 15380:2023 is used by:

• OEMs specifying hydraulic fluids for new equipment intended for environmentally sensitive applications
• Suppliers and formulators certifying products as environmentally acceptable hydraulic fluids
• End-users and specifiers in industries where leaks pose ecological risk (e.g., marine, forestry, agriculture, construction)
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies conducting biodegradability and ecotoxicity testing

Adoption of ISO 15380 supports environmental compliance, procurement policies favoring biodegradable hydraulic oils, and improved risk management in hydraulic fluid power systems.

Related standards

• ISO 6743-4 (classification of hydraulic fluids)
• EN 16807 (bio-lubricant criteria)
• ISO 3170 (sampling)
• ISO 11158 / ISO 12922 (other hydraulic fluid families)
• Various ISO test methods cited in the normative references for biodegradability, toxicity, filterability and ageing

Keywords: ISO 15380:2023, environmentally acceptable hydraulic fluids, biodegradable hydraulic oil, HETG, HEPG, HEES, HEPR, hydraulic fluid specifications, ISO 6743-4, EN 16807.