Corporate Commitment Award: 2002

Accompanied by Hugh Krentz, Chair of SCC (left) and Peter Clark, Executive Director of SCC (right), André Lagace (photo, centre) represented the Department of National Defence-Directorate of Quality Assurance and received the 2001 Corporate Commitment Award on behalf of the Department of National Defence-Directorate of Quality Assurance.

Department of National Defence-Directorate of Quality Assurance (DQA)

The Department of National Defence-Directorate of Quality Assuarnce (DQA) is a proven supporter of the NSS and principles of quality management through their Quality Assurance program. The DQA supports the NSS by promoting the use of ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 based management systems for internal and external suppliers and by providing guidance in quality and environmental management to Canadian and foreign governments.

The Directorate of Quality Assurance has provided several years of volunteer leadership and expertise on the following SCC committees related to Conformity Assessment: Canadian Advisory Committee on CASCO; Advisory Committee on Conformity Assessment; Task Group on EMS Registration Organizations and Advisory Committee on Quality.

The DQA also provides the Chair of the Task Group on Quality Management Systems Registration Organizations and enhances the National Standards System by providing qualified individuals who participate as volunteers in conformity assessment audit activities on behalf of the SCC.

The DQA impacts the development of Quality systems standards by participating in the Canadian Advisory Committee on Technical Committee 176, and by providing expertise and assistance to SDO's in the development of National Standards of Canada related to implementing ISO 9000.

The DQA has supported the NSS activities for over 15 years. The expertise of their staff who volunteer time has proved an invaluable support to the SCC in the development of quality systems standards and the policies and procedures of the Quality Management Systems Accreditation program.