World Coatings Council

History of the World Coatings Council

Over the last several years, common issues facing the paint and printing ink industries on a global level have increased significantly. While it is always a constant challenge for each individual country to manage the myriad of domestic regulations, it has become increasingly difficult to interpret the potential impact of foreign issues. In 1992, in an attempt to improve communication and to coordinate industry policy on matters of international concern, the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (now the World Coatings Council) was formed. The council was established to ensure that the industry, in coordinating the development of industry policy on international issues, fully discussed and analyzed the global implications. In 2005 the council was granted NGO status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council and will highlight international industry issues to the UN and it’s governing body. In 2019, the name of the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC) was changed to the World Coatings Council.
  

The World Coatings Council’s Organization

Members of the council include the American Coatings Association (ACA), Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation (APMF), the Brazilian Paint Manufacturers Association (ABRAFATI), The British Coatings Federation (BCF), the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA), the European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists‘ Colours Industry (CEPE), the China National Coatings Industry Association (CNCIA), the French Paints, Printing Inks, Artist Colours and Adhesives Association(FIPEC), the German Paint Industry Association (VdL), the Japan Paint Manufacturers Association (JPMA), the Mexican Paint and Printing Ink Manufacturers’ Association (ANAFAPYT), the New Zealand Paint Manufacturers Association (NZPMA), the South African Paint Manufacturers Association (SAPMA), and the Association of the Paint Industry in Turkey (BOSAD).

One association is appointed as the World Coatings Council Secretariat for a five-year period, with the option for reappointments. It is the role of the Secretariat to ensure timely communication among the participants and to organize and administer the council’s meetings. The Secretariat also functions as a communications center, entailing a proactive role to ensure that preparatory work is executed between meetings. ACA performs the role of Secretariat.

Meetings are held once a year, with the meeting site rotating among the various countries. The President of the World Coatings Council chairs the meetings. The council President is selected by the members and is a recently retired executive from the industry. The President serves a two-year term with an option for reappointment.
  

Issue Management

At the inaugural meeting of the the council in August 1992, the council identified common issues of concern and then separated them into two categories — “communication” and “action.” Today, the council continues to apply that process. The communication category includes issues that the council determined can be managed on an exchange-of-information basis, such as training and education, or air pollution controls. The action category includes issues that have been identified as needing proactive industry initiatives, including sustainability, restrictions on lead use in paint, and post-consumer paint waste management. For each of the action issues, a subgroup monitors and reports on significant activity in those areas at subsequent meetings or more often if necessary.

For general inquiries, email: worldcoatings@paint.org

The Role of the World Coatings Council

The World Coatings Council does not set policy, but rather, provides a forum for information exchange and cooperation on the major issues and priorities facing paint and printing ink industries worldwide. The council acts as a focal point for monitoring and communicating specified international issues; develops recommendations and analyses on selected issues of common interest to the participating organizations and attempts to derive a common position (in conjunction with the governing bodies of the respective participants); coordinates industry positions and communicates with other international organizations; and serves as a forum for open dialogue and exchange between the participating organizations on issues of common interest.

Industry Stewardship Committee (ISC)

This committee was formed by the World Coatings Council to enable paint and printing ink manufacturers to share information regarding active issue management, technical or research-oriented programs, and to manage global implementation of consensus on health, safety and environmental management practice. The membership of the Industry Stewardship Committee (ISC) consists of interested paint and/or printing ink associations who are active members of the council. The committee strives to maintain the relevance and applicability of the council’s efforts to identify and address emerging trends in the management of health, safety and environmental responsibilities.

Questions? Contact Steve Sides at ssides@paint.org

Coatings Summit

            January 27-28, 2021

            LOCATION: Miami, FL, USA

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