INDUSTRY NEWS
HMG Powder Coatings launches powder coating system for marine use
HMG are delighted to announce a range of products that meet the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea ( SOLAS ) Regulation . The aim of the directive is to increase marine safety and reduce the risk of marine pollution .
The “ Ships Wheel ”, or “ Wheelmark ” as it is officially called , is an accreditation that is required for equipment placed on board ships for which safety certificates are issued by , or on behalf of , Member States of the European Union .
The Wheelmark is granted once a product has been demonstrated to meet the safety at sea requirements as stipulated by the Marine Equipment Directive . It is the “ flag administration ” of the Member State that has the authority for issuing certification - in the UK , this is the MCA .
Countries within the European Union have one or more nominated “ Notified Bodies ” which carry out the work to demonstrate that equipment placed on board ships meets safety at sea requirements . Products which they approve for use are required to use the Wheelmark , which must be affixed directly to the product or to its packaging .
Directive 2014 / 90 / EU stipulates that marine equipment to be installed on new or existing ships shall be approved and bear the MED / MER mark of accreditation , known as ‘ Wheelmark ’.
To meet this standard , our products have been thoroughly tested to the requirements of :
European Union ’ s Marine Equipment Directive ( MED )
2812 / 2021 164.112 / 2812 / ERO MED0569
UK ’ s Marine Equipment Regulations ( MER )
2812 / 2021 164.112 / 2812 / ERO MED0569
Approval to these also confers approval by the US Coast Guard ( USCG ). Our manufacturing site in Belfast , Northern Ireland has been audited by approved Notifying Body , Exova - WarringtonFire .
All products are released , as Wheelmark approved under a covering statement and certificate issued by individual batch and product .
Our customers need and deserve the highest quality products that meet their safety requirements .
Dr Denis Corry , Technical Director , commented “ HMG will continue to provide that assurance of quality . The Wheelmark approval is one of the most highly-respected quality marks and known worldwide .”
“ I see this as a significant step in the ambitious expansion plan of HMG Powder Coatings . We have always had quality as our ethos , and this approval adds to our expanding portfolio of external accreditation . The Wheelmark is a welcome addition to our range manufactured in Belfast , a location synonymous with the ship building industry .” Robert McIlorum , Sales Manager
To request supply of Wheelmark and UK Ensign marked products , please contact your local HMG representative or enquire via info @ hmgpowdercoatings . co . uk
Visit : www . hmgpowdercoatings . co . uk
18 MAY 2021 read online : www . surfaceworld . com