The importance of quality paintwork

Actually quite strange, since the durability of a product is largely related to the quality of the coating. Egbert Stremmelaar of Vereniging ION and Veerle Fincken of the Belgian counterpart VOM vzw advocate embracing common quality systems and in particular those of Qualisteelcoat, one of the most important and independent quality labels throughout Europe for coating steel. "Because," they say, "quality coating is the weapon for the future."

Vereniging ION and VOM vzw are both national licensees for Qualisteelcoat and committed to the task of actively promoting the label. The directors of both associations note that in the construction world project developers, architectural firms and specifiers increasingly draw up specifications that refer to common quality systems. Stremmelaar: "In the Netherlands, Quali-steelcoat is by definition an obligation if it is supplied under the VMRG seal of approval. This trend can also be observed in mechanical engineering or other metal processing industries, but we are not there yet. Our goal is to get the awareness and obligation of Quali-steelcoat done in other market areas as well."

Broad scope of application

With some 96 certified coating companies and more than 100 approved coating systems, Qualisteelcoat is one of the most important and independent quality labels throughout Europe. Qualisteelcoat's field of application is very broad and covers both untreated and galvanized steel (metallized, continuous and discontinuous hot-dip galvanized), which is then preserved with an organic coating. The paint system can include both wet-coat and powder-coat. Moreover, they may be applied (depending on corrosivity classes) for indoor and outdoor applications. "Qualisteelcoat is an excellent way to permanently (and objectively) monitor the quality system and to bring and keep production at a higher quality level," Fincken states. "The label gives a strong negotiating position when winning projects to protect steel and a good motivation to ask a fair price."

International label

Qualisteelcoat is an international label accepted throughout Europe. "It is a well-managed quality system based on decades of experience of the nearly 100 member paint companies," Stremmelaar summarizes. "Indeed, the strength of the quality system lies in the consultation of all those involved, ranging from applicators, suppliers of powders and chemicals, testing institutes and knowledge centers to user groups. In short, everything needed to achieve good quality across the chain." Fincken: "A major advantage of Qualisteelcoat is also that paint companies that already carry the label can also relatively easily obtain the EN 1090 declaration of conformity for load-bearing steel structures as a basis for CE marking. The paint company can have the EN 1090 inspection carried out at the same time as the mandatory annual Qualisteelcoat audit. Like the Qualisteelcoat label, the EN 1090 conformity certificate also has a validity period of one year."