This International Standard deals with performance requirements for protective paint systems for offshore and related structures (i.e. those exposed to the marine atmosphere, as well as those immersed in sea or brackish water). Such structures are exposed to environments of corrosivity category CX (offshore) and immersion category Im4 as defined in ISO 12944-2. This International Standard deals with structures, made of carbon steel, it does not cover Cd/Bi Cr and Zn/Bi Cr surfaces. It also does not cover surfaces under insulation or concrete. This International Standard places emphasis on high-durability paint systems, with the aim of minimizing maintenance and hence reducing safety considerations and environmental impact. The temperature range applicable for these paint systems is considered to be between -20 °C and -80 °C, and the performance testing is aimed at verifying suitability of the paint systems for this temperature range. The use of paint systems outside this temperature range shall be subject to agreement by the end user. Such agreement may include testing at the applicable temperatures. The paint systems for submerged service (Im4) are aimed at ambient operating temperatures up to a maximum of 50 °C. For higher operating temperatures, specific evaluation and performance documentation is needed. The selection of performance requirements should be considered in conjunction with the cathodic-protection design parameters. This International Standard specifies: ¾ð the test methods to be used to determine the composition of the separate components of the protective paint system; ¾ð the laboratory performance test methods for the assessment of the likely durability of the protective paint system; ¾ð the criteria to be used to evaluate the results of performance tests. This International Standard covers the requirements for new work and any repairs necessary before start-up. It may also be used in relation to maintenance where complete refurbishment is carried out and the underlying metal substrate is completely exposed by abrasive blast-cleaning (see 4.4). It does not address maintenance in general where methods of surface preparation other than abrasive blast-cleaning are typically used.