BERLIN, Germany - The UK-based Long Term Development Group of Becker Industrial Coatings has become one of the first laboratories in the world to gain ISO 17025 (General Requirements for the Competence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories) accreditation for the testing of solar reflectance and other thermal properties of coatings and painted surfaces according to the ASTM Methods E 903, C 1371 and E 1980. 

The ISO 17025 accreditation enables Beckers to offer its customers and other interested parties a fully traceable and externally audited testing facility for the measurement of these radiative and thermal properties. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service, the sole national accreditation body recognized by the British Government, provides the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025. 

The determination of the radiative and thermal properties of construction materials such as painted metal cladding and roofing is becoming more important as global awareness increases about the part that radiative properties play in helping reduce urban heat island effects and offset the use of CO₂-generating cooling and heating systems. “This achievement is an example of the results of our global strategy to strengthen our R&D efforts and to find the best solution for our customers,” said Chief Executive Officer Dr. Boris Gorella. 

Internationally recognized sustainability rating schemes such as the LEED program require these properties to be considered during the design process. Moreover both the U.S. Energy Star program and the European Energy Performance Buildings Directive 2010/31/EU recognize the importance of passive cooling technologies and the need for improved thermal performance of building envelopes.