Standards Council of CanadaStandards Council of CanadaSCC_d8404a46-eca1-4fd0-83bb-be68f3c08682Promote efficient and effective voluntary standardization in Canada, where standardization is not expressly provided for by law and, in particular, to 1) promote the participation of Canadians in voluntary standards activities, 2) promote public-private sector cooperation in relation to voluntary standardization in Canada, 3) coordinate and oversee the efforts of the persons and organizations involved in the National Standards System, 4) foster quality, performance and technological innovation in Canadian goods and services through standards-related activities, and 5) develop standards-related strategies and long-term objectives, in order to advance the national economy, support sustainable development, benefit the health, safety and welfare of workers and the public, assist and protect consumers, facilitate domestic and international trade and further international cooperation in relation to standardization._b36ae826-a664-40ef-a198-3f9b6b3fb0c0ParticipationPromote the participation of Canadians in voluntary standards activities_b08a1cad-1b88-4f6a-afcd-7c108069b6f91National Standards SystemPromote the Use of the National Standards System (NSS)_f6e89f50-a504-46c2-b68c-97d30ba1558c1.1Contribution to Mandate: This strategy supports all aspects of the SCC mandate. Impact Measure: Total number of participants involved in standards development committees, total number of standards referenced in legislation. Actions: i. finalize the SCC communication plan and implement it throughout the broader constituencies of NSS members ii. continue to support the NSS Communications and Marketing CommitteeVolunteersImplement a Volunteer Program_930840cb-eae3-45df-8473-171897a7def21.2Contribution to Mandate: Many of the Council’s activities, and the effective functioning of the NSS, depend on volunteers. Impact Measure: Increase in numbers of volunteers, and positive feedback from volunteers undertaking the new program. Actions: i. provide resourcing for program development and delivery ii. develop recruitment, orientation and training materials iii. develop volunteer recognition system iv. coordinate volunteer programs with SDOs and other major NSS partnersSocial PolicyEnsure that standards development processes support social policy objectives_fb71e708-9844-4383-9896-549aecf5b7d91.3Contribution to Mandate: The mandate of the SCC involves economic objectives such as trade and technology development, and supporting sustainable development, benefiting the health, safety and welfare of workers and the public, and assisting and protecting consumers. Impact Measure: Every standards development process carried out under the jurisdiction of the SCC will include consideration of current and emerging social policy objectives. Actions: i. Review relevant CAN-P documents (National standards System operational guides) for inclusion of social policy objectives. ii. Establish procedures and timelines for revision of CAN-P documents as necessary.Emerging IndustriesConnect Emerging Industries to Standardization Activity_4f1501c6-6cdc-4c04-a893-4bf16ed9d4071.4Contribution to Mandate: New industries are often the emerging employment generators of the new economy and developers of key new technologies. As such, they are critical to national economic development. Impact Measure: Establishment of standards contacts (individuals or groups) in emerging industrial sectors. Actions: i. Assemble information on relevant standards activity for selected new industries ii. conduct seminars on standardization issues for individuals from these industriesDeveloping CountriesEngage Developing Countries in International Standardization_1bcfabce-f90b-44be-bde3-abec9cfce0791.5Contribution to Mandate: Supporting the standardization efforts of developing countries facilitates domestic and international trade and furthers international cooperation in relation to standardization. It also has potential to support consumer protection and global sustainable development. Impact Measure: Increase in the number of developing countries assisted by Canada in standardization. Actions: i. through CAC-DEVCO, provide assistance to developing countries in establishing their technical and administrative infrastructure ii. Build contacts between CAC-DEVCO and trade and development agencies and experts in Canada (e.g. CIDA) iii. Record and report on current effortsPublic-Private CooperationPromote public-private sector cooperation in relation to voluntary standardization in Canada_e64c3718-86d8-4416-9f17-9fa27ae0293f2Mutual Recognition AgreementsIdentify and make available to stakeholders the objectives and strategies underlying trade-related Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)_687df999-9980-463b-adc7-46b88f77a5422.1Contribution to Mandate: MRAs are a key component of international cooperation on standards issues and facilitate Canadian trade success. Impact Measure: Stakeholder awareness of and confidence in MRA strategies Actions: i. Develop a strategic decision-making model for application to new MRA activity. ii. Establish communications avenues that will let key stakeholders provide input into the prioritization of MRA activity.Internal TradeProvide Support for the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)_6c6e89ec-5714-491a-8392-349fff76eec12.2Contribution to Mandate: This measure contributes to the SCC mandate to facilitate domestic trade. Impact Measure: Greater recognition and use of standardization mechanisms in AIT activity. Actions: i. identify opportunities and offer to advise the Committee of Ministers for Internal Trade (CMIT) of opportunities for greater provincial and territorial government use of the NSS to remove internal trade barriers. ii. Build specific action items through PTAC workplans.Public PolicyMake Standards and Conformity Assessment a Full Part of the Public Policy Debate_c6e58f30-56c5-48dd-a37d-cef4c4162cab2.3Contribution to Mandate: Public policy deals with economic growth, sustainable development, health, safety and welfare, consumer protection and domestic and international trade. Impact Measure: Increased awareness of standards and conformity assessment among public policy officials. Actions: i. Support Industry Canada and PTAC efforts to advance standards issues in public policy agendas. ii. Ensure that communications and marketing strategies target public sector decision makersNational Standards SystemCoordinate and oversee the efforts of the persons and organizations involved in the National Standards System_f35551fb-b338-4bb6-911e-1a0e2e7a69163FundingEmploy Innovative Funding Mechanisms_8475d593-8fa4-446b-ba6a-f074d384913b3.1Contribution to Mandate: The SCC’s continuing ability to meet its mandate depends on innovation in resource and service issues. Impact Measure: Deployment of new funding approaches. Actions: i. develop a funding proposal designed to ensure that resources are targeted at key priorities, including Canadian involvement in standardization activities at the international level ii. develop a reporting mechanism to inform stakeholders of progress, accomplishments and other information that will tell them how their time and financial contributions are being used.Policy and Analytical SupportProvide policy development and analysis support to the Advisory Committees of Council_6949f814-ff92-4e22-95f1-2c4edb91a3b33.2Contribution to Mandate: The Advisory Committees of Council contribute NSS perspectives to Council decision-making. Their effectiveness is largely contingent on effective policy support. Impact Measure: Advisory Committee satisfaction with support provided. Actions: i. Identify adequate policy resources for each Advisory Committee ii. Ensure coordination of Advisory Committee-related policy staff and issues.Web PortalDevelop a Web Portal for the NSS_28afba9a-b4df-4942-b721-cf462d2c56b63.3Contribution to Mandate: This strategy supports SCC’s leadership role in the NSS and as such contributes to all of its mandate aspects. Impact Measure: Customer feedback on quality and utility of SCC web site. Actions: i. develop and disseminate collaborative, system-wide marketing and information material, using messages, themes, tools and information sharing approaches which are acceptable and useful to the NSS. ii. Improve architecture and navigation consistent with internet norms. iii. Ensure that users have full connectivity to international standards organization sites. iv. Ensure that the site provides a modern suite of facilitation, collaboration, and communication tools. v. Assess needs for support for individuals and groups who are not currently connected electronically.New Programs and ServicesWhere appropriate, develop new programs and services to bring independent programs under the National Standards System._2b72b25f-56f1-45ab-bf7c-26ba9ee6461c3.4Contribution to Mandate: This strategy supports SCC’s leadership role in the NSS and reduces duplication of effort. Impact Measure: Reaction of other stakeholders to a coordinated accreditation service in Canada. Actions: i. Identify potential new programs and services ii. where appropriate, engage new partners to bring conformity assessment activities working outside the NSS under the umbrella of the National Standards System iii. develop new programs and services under the umbrella of the National Standards System.Quality, Performance and InnovationFoster quality, performance and technological innovation in Canadian goods and services through standards-related activities_02c243ed-fba6-412f-bc47-3dce0110283a4Electronic CommerceTake Leadership in Developing International Standards for Electronic Commerce_91d68f34-2211-4998-905c-73559e296e124.1Contribution to Mandate: This strategy advances the national economy by sustaining a key infrastructure element and industrial sector. Consumer protection is also an important aspect of e-commerce standardization activity. International cooperation in relation to standardization is the thrust of this strategy. Impact Measure: Number and reach of coordination mechanisms established, formal proposals developed, international leadership roles held. Actions: i. establish working groups, networks and forums to identify and develop standardization approaches for priority electronic commerce issues ii. mobilize concerned industries and federal, provincial and territorial departments to establish funding to support coordination effortsAccreditationMove Toward a Global Accreditation Regime_676b171b-5c4b-4583-a6d4-97de20651ff74.2Contribution to Mandate: Canadian efforts to unify the myriad national, regional and international accreditation systems will contribute directly to the facilitation of international trade and the furtherance of international cooperation in relation to standardization. Impact Measure: Increase in number of Canadian positions advocating global accreditation unity, put forward in regional and international accreditation forums. Actions: i. actively promote the extension of existing MLAs to include programs not yet covered. ii. join the Interamerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) iii. rationalize and prioritize SCC participation in regional accreditation bodiesConformity AssessmentExamine the Use of Alternative Conformity Assessment Practices_55945515-2579-4682-9241-88349d4230f74.3Contribution to Mandate: As conformity assessment tools and approaches evolve, they have a direct impact on corporate economic performance and trade success, as well as the health, safety and welfare of workers and the public and consumer protection. Impact Measure: Availability of information on the use, risks, benefits and other impacts of new conformity assessment practices. Actions: i. Through ACCA, coordinate NSS partner research and policy development activities ii. Examine conditions for success of various approaches, impacts on various stakeholders, costs and benefits, etc.Management System StandardsExamine/Evaluate Management System Standards_5643b98a-9d95-4fc3-ac58-033004b5388f4.4Contribution to Mandate: Management system standards such as ISO 9000 and 14000 are increasingly popular global quality approaches and affect the ability of many companies to supply goods and services nationally and internationally. Impact Measure: Quantity of information on management system standards developed and provided to the public. Actions: i. Finalize and distribute existing analyses ii. Maintain information to NSS stakeholders and public on developments in management system standards. iii. Coordinate the development of case studies in the field.Technical CommitteesEstablish a Broader Mandate for Technical Committees under CNC-ISO and CNC-IEC_dd74ad4e-bf54-40a0-8f4f-585c597ee98d4.5Contribution to Mandate: This strategy will contribute to a strengthening of domestic and international trade and will further international cooperation in relation to standardization. It has the potential to involve Canadian advisory committees in social policy areas as well. Impact Measure: Development of Committee Business Plans that expand their focus, impact and contribution to Council. Actions: i. Draw on sectoral and stakeholder input to develop priorities for ISO and IEC activity at the technical and policy committee levels to enhance their effectiveness. ii. Develop recommendations for new areas of CNC focus, including emerging global and regional standardization forums. iii. Establish more substantive ties to federal, provincial and territorial governments regarding standardization issues in the ISO and IEC domain.Metrological InfrastructureStrengthen Canada’s metrological infrastructure_d1016c2f-3604-4a5e-8f26-a25cbad450104.6Contribution to Mandate: The national metrological infrastructure is one of the bases of international trade, economic growth and consumer protection. Impact Measure: National and international confidence in Canada’s metrology system. Actions: i. Continue to support and encourage NRC/INMS in this activity and in all aspects of its role as Canada's National Metrology Institute.Strategies and ObjectivesDevelop standards-related strategies and long-term objectives_7b8dace8-59a7-4ae1-ab7c-ba0abcc672535National PositionsCreate and Maintain a Framework for Developing National Positions_976fb8fa-234d-42c8-afce-c308fbea3bcc5.1 Required content not provided Contribution to Mandate: All aspects of the SCC mandate, and in particular facilitating domestic and international trade and furthering international cooperation in relation to standardization, demand prioritization of effort and resources. Impact Measure: Application of framework to SCC and NSS decisions.Actions: i. Develop and maintain a list of international participation activities ii. Establish a framework of priorities, objectives and strategies for Canadian participation in international (including multilateral, regional, bilateral) standardization forums, and develop national positions from this framework in preparation for international participation, agreements and events. iii. Undertake strategic planning with respect to the hosting of major regional and international standardization events and meetings.Priority SettingDevelop, implement and maintain processes for setting priorities for standardization activities in the areas of health, safety, the environment and other social issues_8f128486-1071-47ca-8134-13b5f53c74f45.2Contribution to Mandate: This strategy directly meets the SCC mandate of supporting sustainable development, benefiting the health, safety and welfare of workers and the public and assisting and protecting consumers. Impact Measure: Number of standards-related activities dealt with by Advisory Committee workplans in new social policy areas. Actions: i. Through the Advisory Committees, establish subcommittees, working groups and other advisory mechanisms to provide input on standardization issues in social policy areas. ii. Establish priorities for social policy standards work via the Advisory Committee workplans where appropriate. iii. Review the work of the CSS Environmental advisory group for the potential to establish a template for new approaches to standardization work in social policy areas, focusing on resource issues, key stakeholder relationships, research requirements and action plans and priorities.CapacityDevelop and maintain the capacity for standards-related policy development, analysis and dissemination_835455a4-23ed-4722-b483-5faaf4826d985.3Contribution to Mandate: One of the underpinnings of the SCC’s capacity to lead the National Standards System is its ability to provide or coordinate research and policy development and analysis. This strategy is critical to the Council’s capacity to undertake most other strategic directions in this Plan. Impact Measure: Recognition by NSS partners and stakeholders of the availability of high quality policy service at the Council. Actions: i. Identify resources to support the hiring of policy staff at SCC ii. Ensure that all operational units of the SCC have or have access to policy resources iii. Build linkages between SCC policy services and those of other key stakeholders, including government, sectoral groups and NGOs.Sectoral ParticipationGenerate Strategic Sectoral Participation_276fdab3-a6c4-4609-9607-b770ab28bbd45.4Contribution to Mandate: SCC’s ability to meet all aspects of its mandate depends on building effective linkages to all relevant sectors of society and the economy. Impact Measure: Two-way communication flows between SCC and major economic and social sectors. Actions: i. Identify existing sectoral structures, associations and networks which could be built into the SCC advisory network ii. Establish agreements with sectoral representatives on the nature of sectoral-SCC linksNAFTAFacilitate Consumer Input to the NAFTA_5ffbc014-c3fe-49c2-bd19-b6a5919637475.5Contribution to Mandate: This strategy contributes to the SCC’s mandate to assist and protect consumers, facilitate domestic and international trade and further international cooperation in relation to standardization. Impact Measure: Creation of formal, long-term, effective avenues for consumer input to NAFTA forums. Actions: i. Through the Advisory Committees, explore with representatives of the U.S., Mexico and the standards community the possibility of establishing a body similar to ANEC.PlanningImplement Consistent Business Planning Practices_7a702f9a-6eb4-44f5-8ad3-9462160b9b1c5.6Contribution to Mandate: The core capacity of the Standards Council to deliver its mandated programs and activities is enhanced by this objective. Impact Measure: Every SCC Branch will have annual business plans that integrate the SCC mandate, strategic directions, budget plans, HR plans and performance indicators. Actions: i. Continue to develop and monitor Critical Performance Indicators, moving wherever possible to impact indicators. ii. Synchronize activity, budget and HR planning.2001-01-012004-12-312010-02-08http://www.scc.ca/Asset/iu_files/stratplan_e.pdfArthurColman (www.drybridge.com)colman@drybridge.com