Quipasur with its antifouling paint product Equnet has passed the evaluation process obtaining the Directemar Certificate, becoming a contribution to the protection of the oceans.

What is the Directemar certificate?

Currently, obtaining Directemar certification for disinfectants, detergents, antiparasitics, dispersants, absorbents and other chemical products (fungicides, preservatives, among others) has become a fundamental requirement for any company wishing to market these products.

Obtaining Directemar certification is a mandatory process for any type of product that may have direct or indirect contact with the sea. This regulation is supported by the Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de Marina Mercante.

Failure to obtain this certification can lead to significant penalties, which makes it an unavoidable standard for the industry. However, beyond regulations and fines, this certification is a commitment to the environment and the preservation of the marine ecosystem, an imperative demand from the salmon industry and a "duty" towards the sustainability of our oceans.

The main objective of this certification is to ensure that the products comply with the necessary requirements to request authorization for use under the jurisdiction of the National Maritime Authority. The Maritime Authority has the important task of monitoring and ensuring compliance with international conventions and legal regulations related to the preservation of the marine ecosystem.

It is important to note that docks, maritime facilities, fixed or floating platforms and naval artifacts, in general, require the use of chemical products for the maintenance and conservation of their structures, and all these products must comply with established standards.

Companies that achieve this certification have undergone a rigorous process of evaluation of their products, a process which, if successful, confirms that they are suitable for use in the marine environment.

The review process consists of the inspection of ecological and chemical risks. In order to obtain certification, it is necessary to provide a series of essential data, including:

1. Datasheet: Complete technical details of the product.
2. Material Safety Data Sheet: Information on hazards and safety precautions.
3. Acute and Chronic Toxicity Bioassays: Assessment of short- and long-term toxicity.
4. Chemical Composition: Detailed description of the chemical components.
5. Physical-Chemical Properties: Data on the physical and chemical properties of the product.
6. Commercial Label: Information on product labeling.
7. Environmental Persistence Study: Half-life of the product in the environment.
8. Bioconcentration factor: Bioaccumulation assessment.
9. PEC Study (Exposure - Expected and/or Measured Concentration in the Environment): Evaluation of the concentration of the product in the environment.

Obtaining Directemar certification is not only a legal obligation, but a commitment to sustainability and the protection of the marine environment. It helps to ensure that our oceans remain healthy and free of pollutants harmful to marine life and, ultimately, to the ecological balance of our planet.