Society for Protective Coatings

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) is a professional association for the industrial protective and marine coatings industry. It was founded in 1950 as the Steel Structures Painting Council, a non-profit association concerned with the use of coatings to protect steel structures such as bridges, ships, water tanks, and locks and dams. Since the original mission of the organization evolved over the years to include structures built with materials other than steel (concrete, composite materials, etc.), the name was changed in 1997 to SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings.

As of the end of 2012, there are approximately 9,700 members worldwide. There are also approximately 863 corporate members. Industrial painting contractors are a primary beneficiary of SSPC's efforts.

SSPC develops and publishes widely used industry standards for surface preparation, coating selection, coating application, painting contractor certification, and testing. Standing committees periodically review and update the standards as required. The "official voice of SSPC" is the Journal of Protective Coatings & Linings, published monthly by Technology Publishing Company in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to standards and the JPCL, SSPC produces books, technical manuals, training courses, professional certification programs and information regarding environmental regulations and health and safety issues that affect the protective coatings industry. SSPC has also begun developing resources for the commercial-light industrial industry. In 2011, following the discontinuation of the annual PACE conference, SSPC launched the SSPC Annual Conference featuring GreenCOAT, which is held in the United States each year for SSPC members and affiliates. Other regional meetings are held throughout the USA and other parts of the world via SSPC's Chapter system.