Canadian Standards StrategyCanadian Standards StrategyCSS_c632ce93-8e84-45a9-bb96-596fc7c280aeTo provide ongoing National Standards System (NSS) direction and leadership on how to usestandardization to advance the social and economic well-being of Canadians in a global economy. A keypriority is balancing health, safety and environmental concerns with the rewards of trade, innovation andeconomic competitiveness._7d1e9d68-a461-4ee6-8c34-24fc9973dacdStandards BodiesInfluence the formation, evolution and operation of standardizationbodies that are important to Canada_4ebad483-a6ed-455f-b907-3a01f553b4921Canada has a proven track record as a leader of, and valued contributor to, international standardsdevelopment activities. Canadians have provided thoughtful and balanced input into the development ofproduct, safety, service and conformity assessment standards. Long-standing Canadian participation inISO, IEC and JTC-1 and key roles in the development of numerous cornerstone standards (e.g., ISO9000, ISO 14000, etc.) have been supported by a well-developed and cooperative national infrastructure.Canada should continue to influence, both directly and indirectly, the policy formation and governanceof international standards development organizations. Canada should also continue participating in keystandards-development committees and pursue opportunities to participate in new cross-cuttingstandards-development projects (e.g., security, social responsibility, climate change, etc.).An important means of influencing international standardization activities is participating in regionalorganizations. Regional standardization bodies (e.g., the Pacific Area Standards Congress - PASC andthe Pan American Standards Commission - COPANT) are excellent fora for collaborative policydevelopment and information exchange on a host of standardization issues. Canada should seek toinfluence the growth and governance of these organizations for the mutual benefit of their respectivemembers and for our own strategic interests.Developments in other standardization bodies (i.e., those not directly related to ISO & IEC) must alsobe monitored from a strategic perspective. For example, Canadian participation in organizations such asthe International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Codex Alimentarius (Codex), the InternationalBureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology(OIML) must be observed to ensure consistent approaches. The multiple demands of the globalmarketplace often have led to the creation of new organizations, or adaptation on the part of existingorganizations, in order to meet specific standards or conformity assessment demands. Members of theNSS, specifically the SCC, must be prepared to work cooperatively with new national, regional, andinternational partners and to build on existing relationships in pursuit of the benefits of standardization.Coordination and OversightEnhance the strategic coordination and oversight capacities of the Canadian National Committee onthe International Organization for Standardization (CNC/ISO) and the Canadian NationalCommittee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (CNC/IEC)._039a27dd-d2ff-4596-9430-d1d59288e0031.1Activities: a) Research and make recommendations regarding alternative methods to ensure Canadian input into,and influence in, regional and international standardization organizations (e.g. COPANT, PASC,CANENA, etc.) including the creation of national mirror committees for regional groups.Lead: CNC/IEC & CNC/ISO with input from ACS, ACCA, ACT & CPICb) Develop a mechanism to identify “essential Canadian requirements” to support the implementationof IEC’s “Global Relevance” approach.Lead: CNC/IEC with input from CNC/ISO, ACS, ACCA & CPICc) Develop and/or adapt a mechanism to identify and prioritize new areas for Canadian standardsdevelopment activity.Lead: CNC/ISO & CNC/IEC with input from all SCC Advisory Committeesd) Research and make recommendations on the creation of a web-based forum to facilitate strategiccoordination and cooperation amongst North American IEC National Committees (i.e. Canada,US & Mexico).Lead: CNC/IEC with input from CNC/ISO, ACS, ACCA, ACT & CPICConsumer InputFacilitate consumer input into national, regional and international standardization fora._08ea72a8-27ae-470d-a95e-134f621a446f1.2Activities: a) Promote the uptake and usage of the CPIC Priorities Setting Mechanism by other SCC ACs toensure a consistent and strategic approach to dealing with standardization issues.Lead: CPIC with input from all SCC ACsb) Examine and make recommendations on alternative methods and approaches to facilitate consumerinput into standardization activities at the national, regional, and international levels.Lead: CPIC with input from all SCC ACs & NSS stakeholdersMarket AccessImprove access to existing and new markets for Canadian goods andservices_6ac29d5e-41b7-46c3-b370-e318ba4932642Trade continues to be an engine of the global economy and its impact on Canada’s economy remainssignificant. Canadian reliance on international trade, especially with the United States and majoremerging markets (e.g., China, India & Brazil), has increased over the past several years. This growthhas been facilitated by the development and expansion of trade agreements at both the international (e.g.,World Trade Organization – WTO) and the regional / bi-lateral level (e.g., Free Trade Area of theAmericas – FTAA, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation – APEC, the North American Free TradeAgreement – NAFTA, Canada – Costa Rica FTA, Canada – Chile FTA, etc.).Standardization plays a fundamental role in trade relationships, both positive (i.e., as an approach to meetmultiple national / regulatory requirements) and negative (i.e., as a method to erect obstacles to the freemovement of goods and services). Given the relative size of the Canadian economy and the multiplerelationships required to ensure access to foreign markets, it remains crucial for the SCC and our NSSpartners to be engaged at two (2) distinct, yet closely related levels:1. formal trade agreements (i.e., government-to-government)Canada remains committed to the prudent usage of standards and conformity assessment measures tofacilitate the reduction of technical barriers to trade (TBTs). Trade disputes can have serious impacts onthe Canadian economy and efforts must be taken to promote commonalities and work throughdifferences wherever possible. It is therefore crucial that the SCC nurture a healthy relationship withInternational Trade Canada and through this relationship provide input into standardization-relatedaspects of formal trade agreements.2. institutional (i.e., voluntary) arrangements and schemesCanada’s participation in accreditation based-arrangements (e.g., International Accreditation Forum –IAF, International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation – ILAC, the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation– PAC, the Asia-Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation – APLAC and the InteramericanAccreditation Cooperation – IAAC) and other conformity-assessment schemes (e.g., IEC WorldwideSystem for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment – IEC CB Scheme) remainsimportant for the recognition and acceptance of Canadian products and services. Canadian participationin these fora will remain important as arrangements mature, business patterns change and regulatorsmake increasing use of these mechanisms.Accreditation NetworksContinue to strengthen global accreditation networks._64a6fef7-0db2-40e5-a688-a12f33baff062.1Activities: a) Examine and make recommendations on the rationalization of SCC’s existing slate of voluntaryaccreditation-based arrangements and agreements.Lead: SCC with input from ACCA, ACT, PTAC & other SCC ACs as requiredb) Develop and apply a measurement tool(s) to assess the impact of existing and/or proposed voluntaryaccreditation-based arrangements on the Canadian marketplace and communicate the results toCanadian regulatory officials (federal, provincial & territorial) and other interested parties.Lead: ACT & ACCA with input from all SCC ACsc) Examine and make recommendations on methods and activities that could increase regulatoryunderstanding, acceptance and promotion of multilateral recognition arrangements (MLAs) inCanada.Lead: ACCA, ACT & PTAC with input from all SCC ACsTrade BarriersSupport the reduction of standardization-related trade barriers._6c4b8397-4702-4483-a389-04284031c7642.2Activities: a) Identify and examine opportunities for the application of existing standards and conformityassessment measures that could overcome trade-related obstacles in Canada’s existing network ofmulti-lateral and bi-lateral trade agreements.Lead: ACT with input from other SCC ACsb) Examine alternative approaches to standards development and conformity assessment and identifybest practices that could be applied to improve Canadian trade-related activities.Lead: ACT with input from other SCC ACsCompetitive AdvantageBuild competitive advantage through technology and informationtransfer and global market intelligence_aff6c055-846a-453a-8b2e-ce4e5e8434743Among the many benefits associated with the application of standards and conformity assessmentmechanisms one in particular stands out - the immediate and ongoing infusion of current technologies,methodologies and techniques into businesses, departments or organizations. By using standardization‘building blocks’, a firm or, indeed, a country can meet or exceed international best practices and applythe knowledge contained in the standardization documents in order to produce innovative products andservices that meet a variety of demands.A crucial component for truly international standards development and conformity assessment activitiesinvolves the meaningful participation of developing countries. Successful exports often hinge onproperly manufactured and tested products and an internationally recognized standardizationinfrastructure. Many countries, at varying stages of development, do not possess the necessary resourcesor expertise to meet the standardization-related requirements for access to foreign markets.From a standardization perspective, Canada remains committed to working with developing countries,either individually or via international/regional associations, to cultivate and enhance their capacities toparticipate in standards and conformity assessment activities. Through the work of the CanadianAdvisory Committee on Developing Country Matters (CAC/DEVCO) and ongoing cooperation withorganizations and departments such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) andInternational Trade Canada, the SCC and our NSS partners will continue to engage in activities such astraining seminars, twinning, and capacity building to ensure that developing countries have theopportunity to benefit fully from standardization.Developing CountriesContinue to engage developing countries in international standardization._a43914b2-f1f9-4608-82b4-5987ffca4ac53.1Activities: a) Develop a vision statement for CAC/DEVCO to guide it in future standardization-relateddevelopment assistance activities.Lead: CAC/DEVCO with input from ACTb) Develop and apply a measurement tool(s) to assess the effectiveness, impact(s) and outcomes ofSCC’s standardization-related development assistance activities.Lead: CAC/DEVCO with input from SCC staffc) Develop an enhanced system for data collection and assessment for assessing the suitability ofcountries and/or regions for standardization-related development assistance from CAC/DEVCO.Lead: CAC/DEVCO with input from SCC staffPolicy and RegulationMeet the needs of an evolving regulatory and policy environment_3b45050c-6dfc-4c41-a518-7fe8a51008d14Standardization, that is to say both standards development and conformity assessment, is used to meet anumber of regulatory and policy requirements. Various components of the NSS provide botheconomical and widely accepted approaches in many regulated areas including product safety and thecertification of qualified personnel. As new products and services, innovative certification and testingprocedures, environmental considerations, and changing regulatory requirements challenge all levels ofCanadian government as well as the citizenry more broadly, standardization will continue to be animportant policy and regulatory tool.The case for a wider (and in some cases deeper) application of standardization in a regulatory contextmust be supported with sound research, empirical data, active support from governments and regulatoryofficials and a proven record of past successes. The SCC and other NSS partners realize that the task isan incremental one, requiring confidence building and participation in a host of policy venues anddiscussions. These efforts can result in benefits for all segments of Canadian society. Fromimplementing climate change policies, to facilitating the application of alternative energy technologies,to providing common criteria for the recognition of professional credentials, to providing a variety ofavenues to meet regulatory requirements, the NSS continues to hold much potential as an effectiveinstrument for the development and implementation of Canadian (federal, provincial, territorial andmunicipal) public policy.Through existing and new partnerships, inter-jurisdictional and inter-departmental cooperation,regulatory dialogue and engagement, and thorough research, the SCC and our NSS colleagues willcontinue to work to meet the multi-faceted needs of our domestic regulatory and policy environments inan efficient and practical manner.Partnerships, Projects, and ProcessesPursue strategic standardization partnerships, projects, and processes that support social policyobjectives (including health, safety and the environment)._a863a11a-aab5-4b14-a1fe-6a7633f0892e4.1Activities: a) Examine and make recommendations on possible partnerships and cooperative opportunities withstandards development organizations and processes currently outside of the NSS.Lead: ACS with input from all SCC ACsb) Research and make recommendations on the development of a national database of health and safetyincidents related to products, systems and services.Lead: CNC/IEC with input from all SCC Advisory Committees and specific federal departments andagenciesc) Research and make recommendations on the strategic application of standardization in the Canadianhealthcare system.Lead: SCC with input from PTAC, other SCC ACs and various NSS stakeholdersInter-jurisdictional CooperationSupport inter-jurisdictional standardization-based cooperation._75e65800-07c0-4ba3-8880-c8b7705a90e24.2Activities: a) Based on Chapter Four of the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), identify areas of common traderelateddifficulty among Provinces and Territories and promote standardization approaches and/orsolutions for these trade impediments.Lead: PTAC with input from ACT & ACCAb) Conduct research to identify sectors from a Provincial and Territorial perspective that could benefitfrom the use and acceptance of accreditation-based MLAs.Lead: PTAC with input from ACT & ACCARegulatory and Policy EngagementEngage regulatory and public policy officials regarding the applicability of standardizationapproaches._d1d7cda3-804a-4355-a40d-dcc6513680484.3Activities: a) Seek the development and acceptance of a Government of Canada policy statement regarding theusage of standards and conformity assessment procedures in federal regulations.Lead: SCC, Industry Canada with input from all SCC ACsb) Identify measures to increase the number of regulatory officials (federal, provincial, territorial andmunicipal) involved in NSS activities including standards development, conformity assessment andpolicy development.Lead: SCC with input from all SCC ACs and NSS stakeholdersc) Actively recruit Canadian regulators (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) for participationin the standards development and conformity assessment activities of the National Standards System(NSS).Lead: SCC with input from all SCC ACsResearch and AnalysesResearch and analyze new and ongoing standardization issues._bcfd0abb-c75c-470b-9682-1242c174b8604.4Activities: a) Research and make recommendations on the future directions and capabilities of SCC ConformityAssessment programs and services (especially from a health and safety perspective).Lead: SCC with input from all SCC ACs & Stakeholdersb) Re-examine and make recommendations on the need to develop a National Standard of Canada forOccupational Health and Safety (OH&S).Lead: SCC with input from all SCC ACs and NSS stakeholdersc) Research and make recommendations on the development of a “Centre for Standards Research” thatwould conduct, collect and disseminate research on the value and importance of standardization inCanada.Lead: SCC with input from specific NSS stakeholdersd) Research and make recommendations on ways to overcome obstacles to the wider uptake ofmanagement system standards among Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Lead: Industry Canada with input from SCC and specific ACsStakeholder RepresentationRepresent fully the range of standardization stakeholders_89c24d9f-01df-43be-b58b-26c83473c5aa5Canada, like many other western countries, is beginning to grapple with changing demographicsincluding an aging population, declining birth-rates, and static immigration levels. Competition forskilled employees and immigrants among G-7 nations is expected to increase accordingly. Canadianpopulation centers also are changing with over one half of Canadians living in or around four mainmetropolitan areas: Toronto (ON), Montréal (QC), Edmonton-Calgary (AB) & Vancouver (BC) whileother Canadian provinces and territories are experiencing decreases in population. These trends mayhave a negative impact on the approximately 15,000 person volunteer base of the NSS. The SCC andour NSS colleagues must be aware of these trends and attempt to anticipate their impacts.In addition to securing adequate levels of volunteers for the NSS, we must also acknowledge groups thatcurrently are under-represented in the system and explore ways to correct these imbalances. Aboriginalgroups, other standardization organizations, non-governmental organizations, municipal governments,etc. are groups that possibly could benefit from greater levels of engagement. Attention to thedevelopment of a more robust stakeholder base will result in a more representative system withapplicable and acceptable standardization products.Coupled with these considerations is the ongoing necessity for innovative and sustainable fundingapproaches to support the NSS (including participation in standards development activities). Earlierwork by the SCC’s Task Force on Innovative Funding Solutions (TFUNS) resulted in severalrecommendations and a commitment to further study. The SCC and fellow NSS stakeholders willcontinue to address concerns regarding “representation” and strive to implement achievable objectives.MembershipSupport the further development of the SCC Member Program._e9a67f7d-3d42-4fae-8550-8175736855dc5.1Activities: a) Examine and make recommendations on the future directions of, and challenges facing, the SCCMember Program (including demographics, funding and mentoring).Lead: CPIC with input from all SCC ACsb) Identify and engage groups that are currently under-represented in order to make NSS activitiesmore representative of, and more broadly understood by, Canadians.Lead: SCC with input of NSS stakeholdersc) Research and make recommendations on the opportunities to cooperate with Canadian SDOs in thedelivery of specific training programs within Canada.Lead: SCC with input from SDOACd) Research and develop a retention strategy for the SCC Member Program.Lead: SCC with input from SCC ACs and NSS stakeholderse) Research and make recommendations on the development of a standards-developer mentor programto ensure Canada maintains its capacity to participate in standards development activities.Lead: SCC with input from CNC/ISO, ACS and ACCAf) Research and make recommendations on the development and application of a “Standards &Conformity Assessment Education Module” for use by technical colleges and universities.Lead: SCC with input from all SCC Advisory CommitteesFunding MechanismsEmploy innovative and sustainable funding mechanisms to support future activities._9374a9aa-a513-49a2-823a-38edbab3b2db5.2Activities: a) Continue to study and develop long term sustainable approaches to the funding of standardsdevelopment in Canada.Lead: Council with input from specific SCC ACs as requiredb) Initiate dialogue with the appropriate department(s) of the Government of Canada in order toaddress liability concerns of SDOs when standards or conformity assessment procedures arereferenced in federal regulations.Lead: SCC with input from SDOACCommunicationCommunicate effectively the role and benefits of standardization andconformity assessment practices_9b64ff75-1b22-4b38-ac2d-d79c12e680986Communication, specifically the task of increasing general knowledge levels about standardization, itsassociated benefits, the NSS, and the SCC, is a constant challenge. In the current environment ofcompeting messages, multiple delivery methods (presentations, internet, print based material, tradeshows,etc.) and a finite level of resources, it is sometimes difficult to engage and hold the attention ofspecific audiences (e.g., key government officials, senior business managers, etc.) in order to underscorethe value of standards and conformity assessment.Closely linked to communications is the concept of promotion. An understanding of the structure andfunction of standardization bodies and their activities must be complemented by practical and successfulexamples of standardization ‘in-practice’. Examples of successful applications of standards in specificsectors or circumstances is crucial to increasing acceptance and usage of standardization by governments,private industry, and consumers.The SCC and its NSS partners will continue to communicate and promote the role and benefits ofstandards and conformity assessment. A sustained effort to promote the key messages of standardizationwith decision makers and the general public is crucial to the success not only of individual standardizationprojects, but also to the continuity of the NSS as a whole.NSS PromotionPromote the use of the National Standards System (NSS)._a2b73e1e-1d47-4eff-8480-d6017da17c836.1Activities: a) Promote to key government and private industry-related issues the applicability of standards-basedapproaches.Lead: SCC with input from all SCC ACsb) Develop a series of print-ready articles and “value propositions” that detail the benefits ofstandardization and the NSS (citing particular success stories, case studies, examples, etc.).Lead: SCC with input from specific SCC Advisory Committeesc) Promote to key federal departments, development assistance agencies and standardization peers theapplication of standards and conformity assessment as a key component of comprehensivedevelopment-related assistance strategies.Lead: CAC/DEVCO with input from specific SCC ACsd) Develop a virtual “Conformity Assessment Tool Box” that explains the basics of conformityassessment (including different approaches, circumstances for application, benefits, etc.) to a varietyof key stakeholders in order to increase understanding and usage of conformity assessment.Lead: ACCA with input from specific SCC ACs & SCC Staff2005-01-012008-12-312010-02-08http://www.scc.ca/Asset/iu_files/CSS_update_e.pdfArthurColman (www.drybridge.com)colman@drybridge.com