There is 3 possible reasons to a "gray borders" problem:

Someone else is currently working on the concerned element, or worked on it without properly releasing it (closed the browser without clicking "Finished editing" or "Cancel editing")
The concerned element is not in your current permissions scope (eg. you are working for the "Novecare" GBU, but the component is owned by the "Finance" function)
The component is "Shared with other web sites" (inherited from another website or language).

Each or these cases needs a different approach. To identify it, click anywhere in the component/page, then click the top left locker

Someone else is working on the component/page

If a message "... is working on this component" appears.
Syensqo IS - Customer Support > I need to edit a page or component, but it is locked (gray borders), what should I do? > image2016-12-22 11:45:28.png

What to do in this case?

Right click the locked component/page, then click "History". Scroll down to the latest version (Checked-out). Look at the "User" column to know who you need to contact.

Syensqo IS - Customer Support > I need to edit a page or component, but it is locked (gray borders), what should I do? > image2016-12-22 11:49:44.png

Provide the staging link of the page to this person and ask her to "Finish editing" or "Cancel editing" to release the component.

If this person is not available, you could also contact the support, asking for releasing the component/page (Web support contact).

Not in you scope

If a message "You are not authorized to edit this Page/Component" appears.

Syensqo IS - Customer Support > I need to edit a page or component, but it is locked (gray borders), what should I do? > image2016-12-22 15:2:23.png

The best option is probably to contact the content author, asking him to operate the changes.

Right click the locked component/page, then click "History". Scroll down to the latest version (current) then look at the "User" column.

Shared with other Web sites

If a message "This Component/Page also appears on other Web sites" appears.

Syensqo IS - Customer Support > I need to edit a page or component, but it is locked (gray borders), what should I do? > image2016-12-22 16:24:14.png

You should have a look at one of these articles:

Translate content

[Country standard internet websites] re-use an existing Corporate content

[Web factory / Country light internet websites] re-use an existing Corporate content