FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2010-09-29

SCC Signs MOU with Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology

Ottawa, Ontario (September 29, 2010) – The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology.

"The agreement represents willingness for dialogue and exchange on standardization-related topics, between our two countries," said SCC Executive Director John Walter. "In addition to enabling cooperation through standards-work, it will likely strengthen trade and development activities between Canada and Mongolia."

The MOU aims to facilitate mutual collaboration between Canadian and Mongolian experts in the area of standardization and to promote best practices in various sectors including roads, transport, construction, and urban development. Cooperation on standardization activities is expected to contribute to bilateral trade, as well as to enhance market access. As announced by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the agreement is one of three MOUs signed during a visit to Ottawa by Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold.

The Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology (MASM) is the national body for standards and metrology in Mongolia. Its Chairman is appointed by the Government of Mongolia and reports to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. MASM contributes to the development of the Mongolian society, economy, industry and trade by establishing standards on the basis of mutual understanding and voluntary agreement between parties in governmental authorities, industry and business, with regard to consumers' rights, and in continuously developing standardization activities aligned to the market system. MASM approves and publishes all Mongolian standards, represents Mongolia in international standardization within ISO, and is the Mongolian WTO/TBT Enquiry point.

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is a Crown Corporation and a portfolio of Industry Canada. With the goal of enhancing Canada's economic competitiveness and social well-being, SCC advises federal, provincial and territorial governments, industry organizations, and nongovernmental bodies on standards- and conformity assessment-related aspects of trade and regulatory policy. SCC also serves as Canada's World Trade Organization and North American Free Trade Agreement (WTO/NAFTA) Enquiry Point. SCC is Canada's representative at the International Organization for Standardization, and an active member of the International Accreditation Forum. For additional information on the work of the SCC visit www.scc.ca or email [email protected].

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