On 19 December 2013, the revised Vessel General Permit (VGP) issued by the United Sates
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came into force. This VGP mandates the use of
Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL) in all oil-to-water interfaces (for example stern tube seals
or thruster seals) on all merchant vessels of 79 feet (24 meters) or longer that are sailing in US
coastal and inland waters.