Marine Coatings
In 2008, the World Coatings Council was granted permanent non-governmental organization status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN’s global standard-setting authority that regulates the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping and commerce. The IMO focuses its work on environmental issues particularly affecting the marine environment. Its main role is to create a governing international framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, and which is universally adopted and implemented.
The IMO’s regulatory reach extends to coatings used in the marine environment. Antifouling coatings are subject to regulatory requirements under the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (AFS Convention), as well as the associated guidelines for biofouling management and in-water cleaning. The IMO has also established demanding international requirements for certain protective and specialty coatings through the Performance Standards for Protective Coatings (PSPC) and the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (Ballast Water Management Convention).
The World Coatings Council established two committees dedicated to issues affecting marine coatings at the global level: the Antifouling Coatings Committee (AFCC) and Marine Coatings Technical Committee (MCTC). These committees are comprised of international companies that manufacture, supply, and sell marine coatings and their biocides worldwide. The committees engage at the IMO by supporting the development of technically sound regulations for marine coatings around the world.
In addition to its work at the IMO, the World Coatings Council also monitors regulatory activities affecting antifouling coatings and active substances in countries and regions throughout the world, including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and countries in South America, Central America, and Asia.
Resources:
IMO Biofouling Guidelines (2023)