This International Standard specifies the minimum requirements of unused fire-resistant and less-flammable hydraulic fluids for hydrostatic and hydrodynamic systems in general industrial applications. It is not intended for use in aerospace or power-generation applications, where different requirements apply. It provides guidance for suppliers and end users of these less hazardous fluids and to the manufacturers of hydraulic equipment in which they are used.

Of the categories covered by ISO 6743-4, which classifies the different types of fluids used in hydraulic applications, only the following are detailed in this International Standard: HFAE, HFAS, HFB, HFC, HFDR and HFDU.

Types HFAE, HFAS, HFB, HFC and HFDR are “fire-resistant” fluids as defined by ISO 5598. Most HFDU fluids, while displaying an improvement in combustion behaviour over mineral oil, fall outside this definition and are more appropriately considered “less-flammable” fluids.