SOCOTEC Expands Coating Testing Services By Achieving New Industry Accreditation

SOCOTEC achieved accreditation for a new industry standard in coatings.

As UKAS testing laboratory 0001, the organization is officially accredited to ISO 12944:2018, one of the main international standards that specify the corrosion protection of steel structures by paint systems.

Adopted by coating and component manufacturers across the globe, the standards guide professionals on how to identify and apply individual coating systems and help to ensure adequate corrosion protection for steel structures and equipment.

SOCOTEC is specifically accredited to Parts 6 and 9 of the industry standards, the former of which outlines laboratory performance test methods, while the latter focuses on coating systems for structures in offshore locations. As a result, the coatings team now offers accelerated cyclic exposure testing, extending its range of accredited coating services at the organization’s independent testing facility in Burton upon Trent.

In addition to offering this new service, the ISO 12944:2018 Parts 6 and 9 accreditation also feeds into the research and development work that SOCOTEC is undertaking as part of its contracted consultancy services for a national client.

“These new industry standards have allowed us to broaden our laboratory testing and consultancy services offering, which includes wet paint analysis, accelerated weathering testing, physical testing along with site testing, identification of coating resins, coating inspections and surveys,” said Ryan Emery, operations manager, Coatings & Engineering, SOCOTEC UK.