EAL (Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant)

An Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL) is a lubricant that meets biodegradability, low-toxicity, and non-bioaccumulation criteria, required in all oil-to-sea interfaces (stern-tube bearings, controllable-pitch propeller hubs, thrusters, deck and rudder hydraulics) by the US EPA 2013 Vessel General Permit unless technically infeasible. The VGP recognizes EAL types meeting standards such as the EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel, or the ECF biodegradability tests; common chemistries are saturated synthetic esters and polyalkylene glycols. Using EAL limits the harm of an operational leak, since stern-tube seals can weep oil into the water during normal service.