This European Standard specifies the requirements for the characteristics and testing methods for organic coatings made of organic coating material suitable for the application on to steel wire and wire products of circular or other sections. Other organic materials which are applied intentionally or otherwise such as oils, greases, waxes and temporary finishes which do not become integral or a permanent part of the finished wire product are excluded from this standard. This European Standard is divided in a number of parts, with Part 1 covering the requirements of a general nature and applies to organic coatings and coating material for which no specific requirements have been established in the subsequent parts of prEN 10245.