FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2011-11-09

Celebrating World Standards Day 2011: Canada's standardization network creates confidence globally

On October 14, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) welcomed industry experts, government representatives and members of the public to a panel discussion and networking breakfast to celebrate World Standards Day and this year’s theme of “International Standards-Creating confidence globally”. The panel featured members from across Canada’s standardization network to share their knowledge on ways to improve the safety of consumer electrical products for the global marketplace.

“On World Standards Day this year, we wanted to show how the various components of the standardization network interact collaboratively to ensure consumer confidence on a global scale,” said John Walter, SCC Chief Executive Officer. “Thanks to standards, the products that come out of today’s complex supply chains are safe to use and function in the way we expect them to work.”

The panel featured experts from across Canada’s national standardization network and represented the range of Canada’s product certification and safety chain, from the federal regulator, to the provincial regulator, to the standards developer, to the accreditor, to the certifier and ending with the retailer. The panelists’ answers to such questions as: “how do standards facilitate trade and enhance Canada’s reputation?” and “what challenges do retailers face in delivering safe products to their customers?” engaged the audience in an interactive discussion. This led to many interesting conversations during the networking opportunity that followed.

To present the consumer perspective and the important role the consumer plays in determining the design and safety requirements of products and services, Ms. Norma McCormick, Chair of ISO’s Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO), presented the role the consumer plays in standards development at the international level. This important ISO committee studies the many ways in which consumers can benefit from standardization.

World Standards Day was started over forty years ago to celebrate the importance of standards-related activities and to pay tribute to the thousands of individuals who give of their time and expertise to this important work. “It is important to recognize the positive effect of standards on the health and safety of Canadians,” said Walter. “Including the trust we place in our electrical products.”

Video of the event, including opening remarks and a tribute to SCC Chairman Hugh Krentz, is available at www.scc.ca.

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, the SCC offers accreditation services to both standards development bodies, and conformity assessment organizations. In the area of conformity assessment, it provides services to over 400 clients, including product certification bodies. Its accreditation programs are based on internationally recognized standards and guides. For additional information on the work of the SCC visit www.scc.ca or email [email protected].

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