EFC Working Party 7: Corrosion Education

Certification of corrosion personnel

Certification in the field of corrosion and corrosion prevention is an issue of growing importance because certification provides confidence in the quality of services provided. Certification bodies exist which issue certificates of conformity using criteria established by CEN and other bodies. The relevant standards for the certification of personnel include EN 45001 - EN 45014 of which EN 45013: General Criteria for Certification Bodies operating Certification of Personnel, deals specifically with criteria for certification bodies.

Existing certification systems include:

NS 476 (October 1996): Rules for the approval of surface treatment inspectors in Norway
pr EN 12837 (July 1997): Paints and varnishes - Qualification of paint inspectors for corrosion protection of steel structures by protective painting systems.

In Europe, FROSIO, the Norwegian Professional Council for Education and Certification of Inspectors for Surface Treatment has been at the forefront of the field since it was established in 1986. About one thousand inspectors from over 40 different countries have been certified in accordance with NS 476 which is available in Norwegian and English language versions and has provided the basis for prEN 12837. Although FROSIO does not run its own training courses, the FROSIO Board has responsibility for the content of training courses, in accordance with NS 476. Two levels of inspector are appointed: inspector and assistant inspector.

In the UK, the Institute of Corrosion has established a training centre in Sheffield with a structure based on the requirements of EN 45013. The requirements of the certification scheme are outlined in document ICorr Req 96: Requirements for the Certification of Personnel engaged in Painting and Coating Inspection. Certification is available for Painting Inspectors, Cathodic Protection Technicians, Pipeline Coatings Inspectors, Metallic Coatings Inspectors, and others, at up to three levels (Trainee, Assistant and Senior).

In France, ACQPA is concerned with the implementation of NF EN 45013, which deals with personnel, and NF EN 45011, which relates to paints and paint systems. It offers certificates for paint systems and for personnel involved in application and supervision, and for inspection personnel (using the FROSIO system under license). Also, CFPC, a financially autonomous branch of CEFRACOR, has been established to promote the certification of personnel in the field of cathodic protection and offers two levels of certification conforming with the AFNOR Standards NFA 05910, which deals with levels of competence, and NFA 05991, which covers certification of personnel in accordance with EN 45013.

In Italy, APCE, the Italian Association for the Protection against Electrolytic Corrosion Underground has collaborated with CICPNP, a certification body for non-destructive testing personnel, to develop a certification body for personnel working in the cathodic protection field.

Also, NACE International offers professional certification programmes with up to ten different certification categories.

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