# ISO 12944-9

Source: https://coatmentor.com/standards/iso-12944-9/ · Updated 2026-10-14

Paint systems and laboratory performance tests for offshore and related structures.

**Publisher**: ISO

**Area**: Systems, environments and degradation

ISO 12944-9 sets the laboratory tests that a paint system must pass before it is used offshore. It was published in 2018 and replaced ISO 20340, which older specifications still name.

## Where it applies

Carbon steel structures exposed to the CX (extreme) atmosphere, to Im4 (sea or brackish water with cathodic protection), or to both in the splash and tidal zones.

## The tests

- **Cyclic ageing for CX:** weekly cycles of UV and condensation, salt spray and a period at −20 °C, for 25 weeks (4,200 hours).
- **Im4:** seawater immersion and cathodic disbondment.
- **Splash zone:** all of them.

Adhesion is tested by pull-off, before and after the exposure. ISO 12944-6 covers the lower categories (C2 to C5, Im1 to Im3); ISO 12944-9 is only for offshore.

**3** practice items in the members area mention ISO 12944-9 (FROSIO written: 3).

## Related

- **Concepts:** [Corrosivity categories (ISO 12944-2)](https://coatmentor.com/learn/corrosivity-categories/) · [Cathodic protection basics](https://coatmentor.com/learn/cathodic-protection/)
- **Standards:** [ISO 12944](https://coatmentor.com/standards/iso-12944/) · [NORSOK M-501](https://coatmentor.com/standards/norsok-m-501/) · [ISO 4624](https://coatmentor.com/standards/iso-4624/)
- **Defects:** [Cathodic disbondment](https://coatmentor.com/defects/cathodic-disbondment/)

## About this page

**Also published openly:** [Hempel: ISO 12944 brochure](https://www.hempel.com/-/media/Hempel/Files/Certification/ISO/ISO-12944/ISO12944_brochure_EN_LR.pdf).

This page describes the subject of ISO 12944-9 in our own words; it does not reproduce the standard. For the full text, buy the current edition from ISO. Checked on 2026-10-14; errors go in the [corrections log](https://coatmentor.com/method/). CoatMentor is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with ISO, AMPP, SSPC, NACE International, ASTM or FROSIO.