The importance of surface treatment standards
Common standards guarantee the quality and durability of surface treatment standards.
Standardisation establishes mutually-agreed practices across various industries, ensuring the suitability, safety and compatibility of products, services and processes.
Surface treatment standards provide clear guidelines and consistent criteria, facilitating operations for authorities, companies and consumers alike. The latest update in surface treatment standards is Finland’s SFS 5873.
Importance of standardisation in surface treatment
In the surface treatment industry, standardisation has a direct impact on product performance, safety and functionality. Standards ensure that surface preparation methods, coating systems and painting processes deliver high-quality and consistent results. They also promote international trade and cooperation. Uniform criteria protect both consumers and the environment, while offering industry players an effective tool for quality control and competitiveness.
Key areas of surface treatment standards
Surface Preparation: Provides guidelines on how to prepare materials to ensure optimal adhesion and durability.
Coating Systems: Defines the composition of paint layers and their suitability for different operating conditions, such as corrosion classes.
Painting Work: Specifies the procedures and criteria necessary to achieve a high-quality final result.
Quality Control and Testing: Includes inspection and testing methods to ensure compliance with requirements.
Surface treatment standardisation work at Nor-Maali Oy
At Nor-Maali Oy, responsibility for participation in standardisation groups primarily lies with the Technical Service Manager. The company actively collaborates with various standardisation organisations, such as Kemesta, the Silko steel and surface treatment working group and the PSK standardisation working group. This collaboration ensures alignment with industry developments and requirements. It also increases awareness of upcoming standard changes and enables influence over the content of future standards.
Standard update
SFS 5873 – Corrosion Protection of Metal Structures with Protective Coating Systems Recommended for the process and metal industries.
SFS 5873 is a Finnish national standard focused on corrosion protection for metal structures using protective coating systems. It has been developed by the Kemesta/TR 001 working group. This standard complements and refines the main surface treatment standard, SFS-EN ISO 12944. Its primary aim is to ensure sufficient corrosion protection in various environmental conditions, particularly from the perspective of Finland’s process and engineering industries. The updated standard, along with all its changes, was available for public review and comments on the SFS feedback service until May 12, 2025.
Summary
Standardisation in surface treatment standards enhances product quality and safety while promoting responsible and sustainable development. Nor-Maali Oy’s active involvement in standardisation work ensures the company’s competitiveness and readiness to meet industry challenges.
The benefits of unified surface treatment standards for industry
Quality Assurance – products perform reliably in various conditions
Compatibility – systems and products from different companies are comparable and interoperable
Customer Satisfaction – customers receive a documented and tested end result
Export and Globalisation – standards facilitate product exports and compliance with international requirements