NACE International (National Association of Corrosion Engineers)

NACE International is the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, the global authority on corrosion control standards, protective coatings, and materials performance. Founded in 1943 by a group of eleven pipeline engineers in Houston, Texas, NACE has grown into the world’s foremost corrosion standards organization. Serving nearly 35,000 members in over 130 countries, it provides the technical framework necessary to combat the electrochemical forces that degrade the world’s infrastructure. In 2021, NACE merged with SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings to form AMPP (the Association for Materials Protection and Performance), though NACE standards remain the industry’s primary reference.

Whether you are a corrosion engineer designing cathodic protection for a transcontinental pipeline, a coating inspector verifying surface preparation on a marine vessel, or a materials specialist selecting alloys for “sour service” oil and gas environments, NACE standards are your essential guide. By providing a technical foundation for prevention and control, NACE helps protect assets across the utility, defense, and offshore sectors. Its mission is to reduce the global economic impact of corrosion—estimated at $2.5 trillion annually—by equipping professionals with scientifically verified standards and best practices.

NACE International develops and maintains the rules of engagement for corrosion prevention across the world’s most critical industries. From chemical processing and petroleum refining to transportation infrastructure and defense, NACE standards define how surfaces should be prepared, how coatings should be applied, and how materials should be tested for resistance. The organization’s standing committees act as a global brain trust, ensuring that standards for internal pipeline monitoring and electrical isolation reflect the reality of modern industrial service conditions.

Beyond documentation, NACE created a globally recognized suite of certification programs that serve as the industry’s gold standard for professional validation. These programs, which include Coating Inspector (CIP) and Cathodic Protection (CP) designations, are often required by employers and project owners to ensure that the personnel on-site possess verified technical competence. Now administered by AMPP, these credentials support the full spectrum of materials protection, allowing professionals to demonstrate their mastery of both legacy NACE engineering and SSPC coating applications.