Overview
EN ISO 12690:2010 (ISO 12690:2010) defines the tasks and responsibilities required to ensure quality when producing thermally sprayed coatings or coated components. Published by CEN in alignment with ISO, the standard covers coordination of all thermal-spraying-related activities within a manufacturing department or company. It clarifies who is accountable for planning, execution, supervision and inspection of thermal spray work and requires the manufacturer to appoint at least one spraying coordinator (subcontracting is allowed but the manufacturer retains responsibility).
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and responsibility: Coordination may be performed by one or multiple persons; the manufacturer specifies the spraying coordinator’s duties and remains ultimately responsible.
- Tasks and activities: Includes preparation of spray procedure specifications, process control, inspection/witnessing, and ensuring compliance with health, safety and environmental requirements.
- Job description: When required by a quality management system or contract, job descriptions must list assigned tasks, responsibilities, position/authority and signing/approval limits.
- Quality allocation (Annex B): Annex B is used to map quality-related tasks to coordination personnel; it can be tailored for specific applications.
- Technical knowledge: Coordinators must demonstrate adequate technical knowledge through education, training and/or experience. Three knowledge levels are defined:
- Comprehensive - specialist-level knowledge for full planning and supervision.
- Specific - specialist knowledge within a particular technical field.
- Basic - practitioner-level knowledge appropriate for limited fields.
- Inspection: Thermal spraying inspection is part of coordination and covers testing and measurement to meet the contractor’s coating specification.
Practical applications
EN ISO 12690:2010 is practical for organizations that:
- Manufacture or refurbish components with thermally sprayed coatings (metallic and inorganic).
- Need to implement or formalize spray procedure specifications and inspection regimes.
- Must define clear roles and responsibilities within production, quality and technical teams.
- Are subject to customer or regulatory requirements for documented coordination and competency of personnel.
Typical uses include defining coordinator job descriptions, assigning quality tasks across teams, and establishing competence criteria for training and certification.
Who should use this standard
- Manufacturers of thermally sprayed components
- Quality managers and production supervisors in surface treatment workshops
- Coating engineers, process planners and NDT/inspection personnel
- Procurement and compliance teams overseeing subcontracted spraying
Related standards
Relevant documents referenced by EN ISO 12690:2010 include:
- ISO 14922 series (quality requirements for thermally sprayed structures)
- ISO 14918, ISO 14923 (sprayer approval, coating characterization)
- EN 657 (terminology/classification), EN 1395 series (equipment acceptance)
- EN 15311, EN 15340, EN 15648 (component, testing and qualification standards)
- ISO 6507-1 / ISO 6508-1 (hardness tests) and various NDT standards
Keywords: thermal spray coordination, thermal spraying, spraying coordinator, thermally sprayed coatings, ISO 12690:2010, coating quality, spray procedure specification.
