Quality specification

In the past, quality specifications have been developed in collaboration with relevant market parties to indicate the suitability of paints and related products for specific applications. A quality specification (often abbreviated as KO) concerns the performance that can be expected from products and systems in terms of durability and application (including drying times, recoatability, and viscosity), but requirements are also set for physical and chemical properties such as elasticity, adhesion, opacity, hardness and, where applicable, chemical resistance, water absorption, water vapor permeability, corrosion protection, etc.

Quality specifications, therefore, do not only concern product properties; various properties, including the most important one, durability, are determined for the complete system. This can be achieved through accelerated weathering tests in the laboratory and/or field exposure trials.

Quality guarantee system

COT tests the paints or related products to the requirements of the quality specifications. The manufacturer or supplier can admit the approved product in a quality guarantee system. The product/paint system is annually controlled in a so called confirmation test to check whether the test results are the same as in the first examination. If all are the same, an updated COT certificate will be supplied to the manufacturer.

The COT certificate for paint products, sealants and plasters is distributed to indicate the minimum quality level of these products in specified applications. The user of these products is guaranteed of sufficient quality of products and systems. The producer is protected against unrealistic or irresponsible requirements of the principle.

There are about 140 quality specifications and many qualified products. There are products for wood, concrete and steel, as wood repair products, undercoats, primers, lacquers, trims, claddings, varnishes, wood stains, wall paints, (spray)plasters, sealants, etc.

The quality specifications are incorporated in the project description or working instructions for painting work of various organisations as large industrial companies, STABU, architects and housing corporations.