Paint and Colour Industries Standards Summary - May 2025

Looking back at May 2025, the Paint and Colour Industries sector saw the release of two closely related and highly impactful standards dedicated to the assessment of corrosion protection in steel structures. Both standards—EN ISO 16276-2:2025 (CEN) and ISO 16276-2:2025 (ISO)—build a robust framework for evaluating the adhesion and cohesion (fracture strength) of protective paint coatings through cross-cut and X-cut testing. Their synchronized publication reflects a coordinated international effort to harmonize quality evaluation methods, minimize interpretative variability, and help industry players uphold stringent durability requirements across diverse environments.

With just two standards published but a shared technical lineage and broad applicability, this month’s overview is essential for professionals responsible for steel structures, surface treatment, and protective paint systems. It clarifies the nuanced updates, main requirements, and implementation considerations underlying the latest edition of these foundational documents.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

May 2025 was characterized by the consolidation and modernization of testing protocols within the Paint and Colour Industries, specifically regarding the corrosion protection of steel structures. Both EN ISO 16276-2:2025 and ISO 16276-2:2025 replaced earlier editions by updating procedures to assess the fracture strength of protective paint systems in situ. The simultaneous release by CEN and ISO underlines the importance of aligned global standards, especially as international trade and multi-site infrastructure projects demand universal benchmarks for quality assurance.

Compared to previous publication cycles, this month’s focus was narrower but deeper, revisiting an established area—paint adhesion/cohesion—with the objective of improving reproducibility, transparency, and relevance in both field and factory settings. These standards signal a maturing, preventive approach in the surface treatment segment, emphasizing not just testing methodology but the criticality of sampling, inspection, and acceptance criteria in end-to-end quality management.

Standards Published This Month

EN ISO 16276-2:2025 - Corrosion Protection of Steel Structures Using Paint Systems – Assessment of Adhesion/Cohesion – Part 2: Cross-Cut and X-Cut Testing

Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems - Assessment of, and acceptance criteria for, the adhesion/cohesion (fracture strength) of a coating - Part 2: Cross-cut testing and X-cut testing (ISO 16276-2:2025)

This European Standard, endorsed by CEN in May 2025, specifies practical and imaging-based procedures for evaluating the resistance of paint systems on steel structures using either cross-cut or X-cut techniques. The method involves making precise incisions through the paint, penetrating to the substrate, to reveal the paint’s fracture strength in terms of both adhesion (interface attachment) and cohesion (internal film strength). The results are then rated against standardized scales, offering a reliable metric for product acceptance, maintenance prioritization, and warranty validation.

The document covers:

• Specification of equipment for both cross-cut and X-cut tests
• Sampling plans and minimum numbers of required tests
• Selection and marking of inspection areas
• Detailed expression and classification of results (including X-cut rating tables)
• Acceptance and rejection criteria tailored to project specifications
• Requirements for reporting and documentation

Though the standard does not prescribe ratings for specific paint systems, it establishes the procedural baseline needed for conformance with European and global best practices, particularly for organizations operating in regulated sectors or bidding for international infrastructure contracts.

Relevant stakeholders include:

• Protective coatings manufacturers and applicators
• Structural engineers and infrastructure asset managers
• Quality auditors, inspectors, and certification bodies
• Facility owners in energy, transportation, and heavy industry

Key highlights:

• Harmonized European and international procedural alignment
• Strengthened requirements for objective, reproducible testing and reporting
• Clear linkage to ISO 2409 (cross-cut test) and ISO 12944 (corrosion protection systems)

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 16276-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 16276-2:2025 - Corrosion Protection of Steel Structures by Protective Paint Systems – Assessment of Adhesion/Cohesion – Part 2: Cross-Cut and X-Cut Testing

Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems - Assessment of, and acceptance criteria for, the adhesion/cohesion (fracture strength) of a coating - Part 2: Cross-cut testing and X-cut testing

Published by ISO in May 2025, this global standard serves as the foundational reference for both laboratory and field assessment of painted steel structures. The standard meticulously codifies equipment selection, sample area inspection, and detailed procedures for applying and interpreting cross-cut and X-cut tests. In practice, these tests help reveal the durability of multi-layer coatings and their resilience to peeling, blistering, or breakdown under operational stresses.

The standard is explicitly designed to supplement the widely used ISO 12944 corrosion protection series and draws on best practices from ISO 2409 for cross-cut determination. It prioritizes limiting variability in field assessment and encourages exacting, well-documented procedures to facilitate uniformity and replicability across international projects or multi-vendor supply chains.

Organizations impacted by this standard include:

• Paint systems formulators and R&D teams
• On-site construction and maintenance teams
• Plant integrity and asset serviceability managers
• Regulatory and compliance officers involved in coating approvals

Key highlights:

• Direct technical updates and improvements on earlier 2007 edition
• Enhanced integration with field and on-site testing requirements
• Focused guidance on acceptance/rejection criteria and reporting

Access the full standard:View ISO 16276-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

An overview of May 2025 reveals several interlocking trends across the Paint and Colour Industries standardization activities:

• Harmonization of Testing Protocols: Both standards underscore ongoing efforts to align European and international requirements, minimizing duplication and simplifying compliance for cross-border stakeholders.
• Field-Centric Focus: Emphasis on site-based assessment aligns with industry moves toward in-service inspection and life-cycle asset management, rather than just factory-based controls.
• Precision and Reproducibility: The updated procedures reflect calls from inspectors and quality managers for higher reliability, consistent results, and clearer acceptance/rejection criteria, directly addressing prior industry pain points.
• Integration with Existing Standards: The new standards are not standalone—they explicitly build on and reference established documents such as ISO 2409 and ISO 12944, creating a more cohesive regulatory and technical ecosystem for corrosion control.
• Risk-Based Asset Management: By providing methodologies for identifying coating defects and mapping inspection areas, these documents support smarter, more risk-focused maintenance and warranty programs for critical assets.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations subject to these revised standards should prioritize the following actions:

1. Familiarize with Procedural Updates: Training for technicians and inspectors on the latest cross-cut and X-cut methodologies is vital, particularly in sampling plans and reporting.
2. Documented Inspection Protocols: Ensure that all inspection and evaluation routines reference the new standards, especially in third-party audits or certification contexts.
3. Review Acceptance Criteria: Develop or update internal quality plans to align acceptance/rejection thresholds with client requirements and contractual obligations.
4. Resource Allocation: Allocate resources for acquiring the specified equipment and developing test panels as outlined in the standards.
5. Timeline Management: Given the requirement that national standards conflicting with EN ISO 16276-2:2025 are to be withdrawn by November 2025, organizations should immediately begin transition planning for compliance.

Getting started:

• Purchase and review the full standards from trusted sources such as iTeh Standards
• Organize internal or supplier workshops to share new testing requirements
• Conduct baseline tests to benchmark current processes against the updated methods

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

The retrospective review of May 2025’s standards activities shows that even a focused release can drive significant technical, operational, and compliance shifts for the Paint and Colour Industries. The dual publication of EN ISO 16276-2:2025 and ISO 16276-2:2025 marks a strategic step toward harmonized, field-ready assessment of protective paints on steel structures, with direct benefits for infrastructure durability, safety, and long-term asset value.

Professionals across paint manufacturing, infrastructure management, and regulatory fields should take note of the updated testing procedures, reporting requirements, and broader quality assurance implications. Staying abreast of such standards is crucial for passing audits, securing contracts, reducing risks of premature corrosion, and demonstrating a commitment to best practice.

Explore the linked standards on iTeh Standards to access the full texts, and use this insight as a catalyst for process upgrades, team training, and strategic alignment in the evolving landscape of paint and colour standardization.