Selection of metalworking fluid additives is quite challenging because formulators are faced with developing products that contain as many as 20 components drawn from 13 different component types. Besides using the right components at the proper treat rate to prepare a stable metalworking fluid, formulators must make sure that the product works well under a diverse range of difficult operating conditions and also must be in compliance with the health & safety guidelines of the end user and the region where the end user is located. Examples of additive classes to be reviewed are emulsifiers, extreme pressure additives and reserve alkalinity boosters (amines). Different options are available to the metalworking fluid formulator in all three categories. One consideration that will be addressed is how formulations should be modified to minimize concerns that may arise as the metalworking fluid industry must comply with the Global Harmonized Standard (GHS) by the end of May, 2015.