CSS Progress Reports (December 2006)
Within this page, progress reports for:
Goal One: Influence Key Standardization Bodies
Canada will endeavor to influence the policy formation and governance of international standardization organizations. This includes regional and sub-regional (e.g.,Tri-national IEC) fora which provide an excellent opportunity for collaborative policy development, information exchange and improve Canada’s ability to influence standardization internationally.
Regional standardization bodies include: Pan-American Standards Commission (COPANT), Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC), Interamerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC), Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC), and Council for Harmonization of Electrotechnical Standards of the Nations of the Americas (CANENA).
Action taken towards Goal One
- In September 2006, Mr. Jacques Régis became the first Canadian to lead the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Mr. Régis will assume the position of President-Elect on January 1, 2007 and will become President of the Commission for a three-year term effective January 1, 2008. Canada also holds positions on the IEC Standardization Management Board (SMB), IEC Council Board and Conformity Assessment Board (CAB).
- Canada was once again elected to ISO’s Technical Management Board (TMB).
- In their role to support efforts to further enhance the strategic coordination and Canadian input ISO and IEC, joint national meetings of CNC/ISO and CNC/IEC are held annually. To enhance their support for Canadian input to regional organizations, CNC/ISO and CNC/IEC have established a mechanism to receive regular Meeting Reports regarding activities in regional standardization organizations.
- CNC/IEC has established a biannual newsletter in their efforts to enhance participation and information exchange among national members.
- SCC’s Executive Director, Peter Clark, has been selected as the President of COPANT and will assume the position at the COPANT Assembly in 2007. Active participation within COPANT strengthens regional ties and ensures that Canadian interests are considered in the development of voluntary standards that impact trade in the Americas.
- Pat Paladino, SCC’s Director of Conformity Assessment, was re-elected as Vice-Chair of IAAC and elected as Chair of the Inspection Body Subcommittee.
- Elva Nilsen continues to act as the Vice-Chair of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), Chair of the PAC, and Joan Brough-Kerrebyn as the Chair of the PAC Technical Committee, and Vice-Chair of the IAF Technical Committee.
Goal Two: Improve Market Access for Canadian Goods and Services
Standardization plays a central role in trade facilitation and access for Canadian products and services to new and existing markets. Enhancing access and opportunity for Canadian exporters remain key priorities of the CSS and SCC.
Action taken towards Goal Two
- Efforts to strengthen the global accreditation networks and facilitate acceptance of accredited results continues. In 2006, SCC participated in peer evaluation activities of national accreditation bodies in US and South Korea.
- Throughout 2006, SCC contributed to the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Canada and South Korea by providing our colleagues at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) with input related to the development of a FTA Chapter on standards and technical barriers to trade. SCC also provided standardization-related input for the development of the Canada-European Commission (EC) voluntary Framework for Regulatory Cooperation, a part of the larger Canada-European Union (EU) Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement (TIEA) signed in March 2004.
- As a member of the Canadian delegation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, SCC supported DFAIT by contributing to the development of several papers in 2006 including, “Counterfeiting of Certification Marks Affixed to Goods where There Exists a Health and/or Safety Concern and Advancing the Discussion on Instrument Choice,” provided technical support as a member of the Canadian Delegation to WTO/TBT meetings, and contributed significantly to the drafting and successful completion of the Report of the 4th Triennial Review of the WTO/TBT Agreement.
- Canada also supports efforts to enhance market access among WTO partners through the provision of Export Alert hosting services. Export Alert Services contracts were renewed for Austria and Trinidad and Tobago and a new agreement was signed with Malaysia.
Goal Three: Support Developing Country Participation in International Standardization
Support for developing countries participation in international standardization remains a priority for SCC and members of the international standards community. The development dimension remains a key consideration in the development of international standards.
Action taken towards Goal Three
- Canada hosted the 40th Meeting of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Developing Country Committee (DEVCO) September 11-12, 2006.
- Infrastructure development is key to addressing market access and national standards compliance issues of concern for developing countries. Canada hosted visiting delegations from a number of developing economies, including: China and India, and has undertaken several key development assistance projects (e.g. with support from the Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) Canada - Costa Rica Competitiveness Fund, the SCC is working to support enhancements to the National Quality Infrastructure in Costa Rica).
- SCC contributed to ISO’s Funds in Trust to support the implementation of ISO’s Action Plan for Developing Countries 2005-2010. In addition, SCC supported representatives from developing countries to participate in ISO’s technical and policy work.
Goal Four: Support the Evolving Regulatory and Policy Environment
Health, safety and the environment are key aspects of SCC’s mandate and remain priorities for the CSS in 2006. Significant effort this year focused upon establishing strategic partnerships that support social policy objectives and build synergies with new organizations not part of the NSS. In addition, this initiative underscores the SCC’s support for Government of Canada regulatory and policy priorities and the potential role of standardization in assisting governments to achieve their public policy objectives. In particular, activities in this area focus on support for enhancements to domestic regulatory frameworks, specifically, the Government of Canada Smart Regulation initiative and, international initiatives that promote good regulatory practices and principles and encourage market openness.
Action taken towards Goal Four
- SCC continues to promote the greater application and use of standardization by regulators by participating in the GoC Smart Regulation process. An important focal point for SCC efforts to promote the use of standardization in a regulatory capacity has been the development of the Government Directive on Regulating (GDR) slated for completion by late 2006 – early 2007. Another important focus has been the corresponding development of the International Regulatory Cooperation (IRC) Framework. Both documents will be used to ensure that GoC regulatory activity strikes an appropriate balance amongst trade, business, environmental and safety considerations.
- SCC continues to work with Industry Canada to support the implementation of the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and promote standardization (accreditation, conformity assessment, referencing international standards or National Standards of Canada) as tool to facilitate the inter-provincial trade.
- SCC has established a program for the Accreditation for Chain of Custody for Forest-based Products which is based on Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Schemes international standards developed by industry stakeholders and environmental organizations. Under the new program, SCC will accredit organizations to assess wood flow from certified forests to manufacturers to retailers/consumers.
- SCC has established three new Management Systems Accreditation Programs:
- Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Accreditation Program - this is an important issue for both Canadian employees and employers.
- Food Safety Management Systems Accreditation Program – this is an important area for the Canadian food chain which has over currently has over 540,000 organizations (from primary producer to food establishments).
- Information Security Management Systems Accreditation Program – the program will be related to three security areas: physical, personnel and information security technology
- In 2006, SCC issued a new edition of the standard for approving the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. CAN-P-4E, General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories that is an adoption of the joint standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
- SCC has established a new Inspection Body Accreditation Program (IBAP) specifically designed for bodies that perform inspections, such as Medical Gas Piping Systems. The transfer of inspection bodies programs formally recognized under SCC’s Program for the Accreditation of Laboratories (PALCAN) to the IBAP is underway.
- New accreditation program for medical laboratories was established in 2006. The program is based on CAN-P-11 (ISO 15189: 2003 adopted with Canadian deviations as CAN/CSA-Z15189-03) –Medical Laboratories – Particular Requirements for Quality and Competence and an agreement between SCC and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).
- Industry Canada completed the research project under CSS 4.4(d) and is currently reviewing the findings of the report “Opportunities for Overcoming Obstacles: the obstacles and opportunities related to implementation of management system standards in Canadian Small Business” with SCC to determine recommendations and next steps.
- SCC published a National Standards System (NSS) Guide for Regulators entitled Key Considerations in the Development and Use of Standards in Legislative Instruments
. - SCC’s Consumer Policy Committee (CPIC) established a Consumer Product Safety Task Force to with a mandate to examine and make recommendations to with respect to product safety.
Goal Five: Represent Fully the Range of Stakeholders
Since 2000, significant efforts have been devoted to further enhancing the NSS and establishing the framework for the SCC’s Member Program (formerly the Volunteer Program). The CSS Update 2005-2008, retains the commitment to enhancing the NSS, expanding the existing stakeholder base and building resources to ensure sustained participation in Canada’s NSS.
With the framework for the SCC’s Member Program in place and the establishment of the core program pillars (Recruitment, Retention and Training) work continues to ensure the continuity of the NSS and the sustainability of the Member Program.
Action taken towards Goal Five
- A Member Program Working Group (MPWG) was established in 2006 with a mandate to examine, provide recommendations and a strategy to address CSS item 5.1. (a-f) and 4.3(c).
- An Environmental Scan to assess and review existing training programs/workshops offered by the SCC and standards development organizations (SDOs) was completed in 2006.
- A SWOT analysis of each of the Member Program core pillars (structure, recruitment, retention, and training) was completed in 2006. SWOT analyses are currently under review and preliminary discussions on the future directions and strategies for the evolution of the Member Program are underway.
Goal Six: Communicate Effectively the Benefits of Standardization
SCC and its NSS partners continue to communicate and promote the role and benefits of standardization. A coordinated effort to promote the value of standardization is integral to the continued success of the NSS and sustained support for standards infrastructure.
Action taken towards Goal Six
- September 18, 2006, the SCC had the pleasure of hosting a session for Canadian regulators and policy makers with the Deputy Secretary-General of ISO entitled, 'ISO - Overview, Initiatives and Regulatory Relevance.' The event was well attended by with representatives from a broad federal intergovernmental group.
- The new Educational Institution Policy introduced by SCC will make standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) available to professors and students in accredited courses or programs.
- The Future Vision Task Force (FVTF) Senior Executive Level Interview Project completed twenty-five interviews.
- Promoted SCC programs and services through correspondence to new Ministers and relevance to their portfolio, the links between governmental initiatives and specific SCC programs/service/initiatives.
- In January 2006, SCC, the Provincial Territorial Committee (PTAC) and NPSAC (National Public Safety Advisory Council), in conjunction with representatives from the le Bureau de normalisation du Quebec (BNQ) and Government of Quebec, held another awareness raising event (“Roadshow”) in Quebec City.
- The “Standardization Research in Canada” academic conference was held on November 20, 2006 in Ottawa. The conference addressed standards-related aspects of some current public policy issues, such as North American Integration and Social Responsibility and examined the concept of additional standardization-related academic research in Canada.
- SCC contracted the Conference Board of Canada to undertake a “Value of Standardization” study to research and quantify the macro-economic benefits of standardization in Canada. A final report will be available in 2007.
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