§ Standards
Status
CURRENT
Last verified
2026-09-06
BSI · STANDARD
BS EN
ISO 12944-2
Paints and varnishes — Corrosion protection by protective paint systems: classification of environments
Overview
What this standard covers
Corrosivity categories C1 to CX and immersion categories, the starting point for every paint specification.
Corrosivity categories C1 to CX and immersion categories, the starting point for every paint specification.
Who uses it
Specifiers and coating applicators matching environment, preparation and paint system to required durability.
Details
Reference data
- Standard number
- BS EN ISO 12944-2
- Title
- Paints and varnishes — Corrosion protection by protective paint systems: classification of environments
- Organisation
- BSI
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- United Kingdom
- Subject
- Painting & corrosion protection
- Subcategory
- Environment
- Type
- STANDARD
- Application
- Contractual
- Availability
- Paid
- Status
- CURRENT
- Roles
- coating standard
- Last verified
- 2026-09-06
Official source: knowledge.bsigroup.com
Related
Standards used alongside this one
- BS EN ISO 12944-5
Protective paint systems for corrosion protection of steel structures
Example paint systems matched to corrosivity category and durability range, including primer type and total dry film thickness.
United KingdomPainting & corrosion protectionCURRENTPaid
- BS EN ISO 8501-1
Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints — Visual assessment of surface cleanliness
Rust grades and preparation grades such as Sa 2½, the usual blast cleanliness requirement for structural paint systems.
United KingdomPainting & corrosion protectionCURRENTPaid
- EN ISO 12944
Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems
The multi-part European standard linking corrosivity category, surface preparation, paint system and durability.
European UnionPainting & corrosion protectionCURRENTPaid
- ISO 12944
Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems
The international paint specification framework: corrosivity category, preparation grade, coating system and durability.
InternationalPainting & corrosion protectionCURRENTPaid
- SSPC-SP 10 / NACE No. 2
Near-White Blast Cleaning
Near-white metal blast cleanliness, broadly comparable to Sa 2½, commonly specified for high performance coating systems.
United StatesPainting & corrosion protectionCURRENTPaid
- SSPC-SP 6 / NACE No. 3
Commercial Blast Cleaning
Commercial blast cleanliness used for general structural paint systems in moderate environments.
United StatesPainting & corrosion protectionCURRENTPaid
Sourcing, review and use
Status
Editorial reference information compiled and maintained by the StructuralSteel.ai team. It is not a design certificate and is not issued under an engineer's seal.
Last reviewed
Calculations
Any figures produced on this page are indicative estimates for early sizing and comparison only — they are not engineered design outputs.
References
Final member selection, loading, connection design, fire design, fabrication and compliance must be verified for your specific project by a suitably qualified structural engineer. Standards are revised; check the edition in force where the work is built.
Verification
StructuralSteel.ai provides technical reference information and links to authoritative sources. Project specifications, applicable legislation, current standards editions and requirements of the responsible engineer or authority should always be verified before fabrication or supply.