Chris Mansfield, chair of Qualicoat UK & Ireland explains why the quality label is important for fabricators, installers and system houses and how new guidance and initiatives will strengthen supply chain partnerships.
Qualicoat is an international quality label organisation based in Zurich; we’re the National Association for Qualicoat approved companies here in the UK and Ireland, representing powder coat applicators, powder manufacturers, pretreatment system suppliers and equipment suppliers.
The association is responsible for maintaining and promoting the quality of powder coated aluminium and its alloys for architectural applications. It sets clear, independently audited standards for how aluminium is pretreated and powder coated, ensuring strong adhesion, consistent thickness and long-term resistance to corrosion and UV damage.
For aluminium window and door fabricators, installers and system houses, however, it is far more than a certificate – it’s peace of mind.
In practical terms, for fabricators and installers, Qualicoat means fewer call-backs, fewer costly re-makes and greater confidence that the finish will still look good years after installing. It also strengthens prospects in the commercial sector, where certified coatings are often a requirement.
For system houses and their fabrication partners, Qualicoat helps protect brand reputation. Since the coating is a critical part of the overall window and door system – not just a cosmetic extra – having a recognised quality label behind it supports warranties, meets specifier expectations and ultimately helps everyone in the supply chain deliver products they can be proud of.
New specifications
We have recently published the 26th Edition of the Qualicoat Specifications. Presented across three volumes, these documents reflect current best practice based on previous experience, new and additional testing regimes and R&D by our technical committee, and provide an up-to-date, internationally recognised benchmark.
They contain essential guidance for organisations seeking to obtain and retain the Qualicoat quality label and offer valuable insight for specifiers and procurement teams.
Specifications are live documents. Referencing outdated information can introduce unnecessary risk, from reduced coating performance and compliance issues to costly disruption further down the supply chain.
That’s why it is essential that all parties are working to the same, current standard. We urge industry partners to confirm this when quoting, before orders are placed or finishes approved.
Instant verification
Qualicoat license holders are subject to random inspections twice a year to verify compliance with the Qualicoat Specification.
Licensed coaters who fail these third-party inspections will lose their license. To help prevent errors and misrepresentation we have transformed our member certificate into a live verification tool with the addition of a QR code. By scanning the code, stakeholders can instantly verify Qualicoat member credentials for complete traceability and assurance.
Users are redirected to the relevant record in the Qualicoat QCT360 database, where the current validity status can be confirmed. If valid, the user can access key information, including license number and type, certification year and expiry.
Making life easier
This initiative is designed to make life easier for industry partners on the ground. With increasing pressure to demonstrate compliance and competency, it’s no longer enough to rely on assumptions – clear evidence is essential.
Our QR code provides a quick and practical way to verify certification, supporting due diligence, quality checks and project documentation. Better still, verification takes seconds, helping to save valuable time when quoting, ordering, signing off or responding to audit requests.
All Qualicoat UK & Ireland members are available to offer advice and can be found on the website at qualicoatuki.org.
