PRA-MPI Approval

The Paint Research Association and the Master Painters Institute have teamed up to establish a performance-based approval scheme 'qualified products list' for architectural paints and coatings in Europe and the Middle East.

MPI is an Institute dedicated to the establishment of quality standards and quality assurance systems for the painting and coating application industries in the USA and Canada. MPI evolved from a non-profit association established in 1899 and is now headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Further information is available at www.mpi.net

MPI performance-based paint and painting specifications are now used by: the US Military throughout the world; the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to replace the previous US Federal Paint Specifications; the AIA MasterSpec, referenced by approximately half of US architects; NASA for facilities; US Veterans Administration hospitals; the Canadian Government's National Master Specification; and thousands of other North American designers, and facility managers.

The PRA Coatings Technology Centre often receives requests for independent testing and approval of paints, which is carried out to a variety of national and international standards. However the pursuit of sustainable building design and construction in Europe now requires more emphasis on performance specifications rather than generic description of materials.

The MPI scheme provides an established and well proven mechanism for doing this. PRA now offers the MPI approval scheme in Europe and the Middle East and is ready to carry out the performance testing required.

Approval Scheme Benefits:

  • Specifiers benefit by being able to determine use of systems that are fit for purpose, knowing that potential suppliers have had the quality of their products independently verified.
  • Suppliers benefit from knowing that they compete on the basis of formulation efficiency and performance to a minimum required quality level, rather than with cut price, lower quality offers that usually result in lower standards of construction and finish or higher cost processes.
  • Contractors benefit from tighter control of processes and margins hence reduced risk of problems and remedial work.