Electric Lamp & Component Manufacturers’ Association of India
The Electric Lamp & Component Manufacturers' Association of India (ELCOMA) is the premier national trade association representing India's lighting and lamp manufacturing industry.
The Oil & Colour Chemists’ Association (OCCA) is a globally recognized, UK-headquartered professional nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the technical expertise and professional development of individuals working in the coatings, ink, adhesives, and allied industries. With over a century of history, it serves as a key hub for networking, education, and industry knowledge exchange across the world.
Basic Overview & History
- Establishment & Legal Status: Founded in 1918, OCCA has evolved over nearly 100 years to become one of the leading technical organizations for the coatings and related sectors globally. It is registered as a charity in the UK, governed by a voluntary Council of Trustees that complies with strict Charities Commission requirements.
- Headquarters & Global Reach: Its primary office is located at 4th Floor, Clayton House, 59 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ, UK. It operates internationally through divisions and sections across Great Britain, Ireland, Europe, Canada, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Singapore, enabling both local networking and global collaboration for members.
- Membership Scale: The association has a growing membership of over 800 individuals from diverse disciplines and industry sectors worldwide, with a recent program introduced to onboard Corporate Sponsors alongside individual members.
Governance Structure
OCCA is run by members, for members, with a clear committee system to manage operations:
1.Core Governing Body: The volunteer Council of Trustees sets overall strategy, authorizes key actions, and oversees all operations.
2.Specialized Committees:
- Technical & Publications Committee: Manages technical event programs and OCCA’s publications, including the Surface Coatings International journal, OCCA monographs, and the OCCA Handbook.
- Registrations & Awards Committee: Maintains professional standards, approves professional status memberships, and moderates industry awards and honors.
- Marketing & Members Committee: Promotes OCCA’s activities, manages commercial promotion, and reviews/upgrades member benefits.
3.Regional & International Operations: Three regional section committees in the UK organize local technical programs and events, while international divisional committees operate autonomously in coordination with the central Council.
4.Commercial Subsidiary: SURFEX LTD, a wholly owned subsidiary run by a separate volunteer Board of Directors, manages OCCA’s commercial activities, including the biennial SURFEX exhibition.
Membership Categories & Benefits
OCCA offers 5 tiers of individual membership, with fees structured to support career progression:
| Membership Tier | Annual Fee | Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Student Membership | £30.00 | Early-career individuals in academic/vocational training (e.g., apprentices, young chemists) |
| Ordinary Membership | £105.00 | Entry-level members not qualifying for student or professional status, serving as a stepping stone to higher tiers |
| Licentiate of the Technology of Surface Coatings (LTSC) | £110.00 | 3 years of experience + degree or adult further education level qualification, sponsored by 2 ATSCs |
| Associate of the Technology of Surface Coatings (ATSC) | £115.00 | 7 years of experience + degree or adult further education level qualification, sponsored by 1 ATSC and 1 FTSC |
| Fellow of the Technology of Surface Coatings (FTSC) | £120.00 | Significant contribution to the relevant industry, education, and OCCA, sponsored by 3 FTSCs |
| Retired Membership | 50% of respective tier fee | Automatically available to members reaching retirement age, retaining their original membership status |
| Honorary Membership | Free | Awarded to individuals for outstanding contributions to the association and the broader industry |
Key Member Benefits
- Access to accredited training courses via the British Coatings Federation (BCF) and Paint Research Association (PRA) that contribute to formal Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Eligibility to progress to internationally recognized professional qualifications, with entitlement to use designatory letters (LTSC, ATSC, FTSC) upon qualification.
- Invitations to regional and national technical meetings, symposia, and social networking events.
- Free bimonthly subscription to Surface Coatings International, a leading journal featuring the latest technological advances in the sector, which is indexed in major databases including World Surface Coatings Abstracts and Chemical Abstracts (its predecessor was the Journal of the Oil & Colour Chemists’ Association, JOCCA).
- Access to the exclusive OCCA FORUM for peer knowledge exchange.
Industry Activities & Events
- SURCON Annual Conference: A flagship event that brings together researchers, engineers, and technologists from academia, government laboratories, and industry to present findings, exchange ideas, and network. The 2023 edition was held at the University of Warwick, featuring keynote speeches on topics such as sustainability in the coatings industry beyond carbon footprint.
- SURFEX Biennial Exhibition: Organized by OCCA’s subsidiary SURFEX LTD, this is a major commercial event for the surface coatings sector, showcasing the latest industry innovations and facilitating business connections.
- Global Collaboration: OCCA is a member of Coatings Societies International (CSI) and maintains links with the Federation of Associations of Technicians for Industry of Paints in European Countries (FATIPEC) and the Federation of Scandinavian Paint and Varnish Technologists, strengthening cross-border industry cooperation.
Historical Legacy & Notable Affiliates
OCCA has a long history of engaging with leading industry figures. For example, Australian chemist Arthur de Ramon Penfold served as the founding chairman of the association’s Australian division in 1946, later becoming chairman of its New South Wales branch (1947-1948) and an honorary member in 1956, reflecting OCCA’s global influence in the coatings chemistry field.
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