<div class="htmlview paragraph">In response to the growing industry interest in environmentally acceptable (EA) lubricants, a hydraulic oil development program was initiated with these express objectives:</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph"> <ul class="list disc"> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Define the environmental impact and performance expectations for a lubricant used in applications where inadvertent leakage to the environment may occur.</div> </li> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Develop a new product which degrades rapidly and is nontoxic to fish while providing satisfactory field performance in severe applications.</div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper will first review the current regulatory initiatives and proposed ecotox test requirements for this class of lubricant. In addition, ecotox data for the candidate fluids will be presented along with recommendations aimed at more clearly defining the test requirements and limits.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Lubricant performance data, including laboratory evaluation and field experience, for a vegetable-based hydraulic fluid will be presented, identifying both performance strengths and weaknesses.</div>