CSS Progress Reports (December 2007)

Within this page, progress reports for:

• Goal 1: Influence the formation, evolution and operation of standardization bodies that are important to Canada
• Goal 2: Improve access to existing and new markets for Canadian goods and services
• Goal 3: Build competitive advantage through technology and information transfer and global market intelligence
• Goal 4: Meet the needs of an evolving regulatory and policy environment
• Goal 5: Represent fully the range of standardization stakeholders
• Goal 6: Communicate effectively the role and benefits of standards and conformity assessment practices 

Goal One: Influence Key Standardization Bodies

Canada endeavors to influence the policy formation and governance of international standardization organizations. This includes regional (e.g., COPANT, PASC, IAAC, PAC, and CANENA [1]) and sub-regional (e.g. Tri-national IEC) forums which provide an excellent opportunity for collaborative policy development, information exchange and improve Canada’s ability to influence standardization internationally.

In 2007, the SCC represented Canada in maintaining strong leadership in regional and international standardization forums.

[1] COPANT- Pan-American Standards Commission; PASC – Pacific Area Standards Congress; IAAC - Interamerican Accreditation Cooperation; PAC - Pacific Accreditation Cooperation; CANENA – Council for Harmonization of Electrotechnical Standards of the Nations of the Americas.

Action taken towards Goal One

• Canada (Mr. Mike Bourassa) continues as a member of ISO’s Technical Management Board (TMB).
• The SCC’s Executive Director, Mr. Peter Clark, assumed the presidency of the Pan-American Standards Commission (COPANT).
• Ms. Elva Nilsen was re-elected as the Vice-Chair of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), and continues as the Chair of PAC.
• Ms. Elva Nilsen also continues as a member of the Joint IAF/ILAC/ ISO Working Group (Chairs, Vice-Chairs of IAF, Secretary General ISO, and Chair, ISO/CASCO).
• Ms. Joan Brough-Kerrebyn continues as the Chair of the PAC Technical Committee, and Vice-Chair of the IAF Technical Committee.
• Mr. Pat Paladino continues as Vice-Chair of the Interamerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) and Chair of the Inspection Body Committee.
• Canada (Ms. Leanne Wright) continued to participate in the ISO/DEVCO Chairman’s Advisory Group (CAG) and the ISO/CASCO Chairman’s Policy Group.
• Ms. Loise de Silva was the convener of the IEC portion of the IEC Task Force to develop an information document on using and referencing ISO and IEC standards for technical regulations.

Canada is also represented through the participation of others including:

• Mr. Joe Gryn continues as the Chairman of the IECEE Committee of Testing Laboratories (CTL).
• Mr. Jacques Regis was elected as the IEC President.

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

• Throughout 2007, SCC contributed to the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Canada and partners by providing our colleagues at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) with input on the standards and technical barriers to trade chapters of several FTAs (e.g. Korea, Columbia and Peru).
• SCC also provided input for the European Commission (EC) Voluntary Framework for Regulatory Cooperation, and the EU proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) related to the acceptance of Suppliers Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) for electrical and electronic products, among other market access activities.
• Throughout 2007 the SCC regularly supported DFAIT as a key member of the Canadian delegation to the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee attending international meetings and providing input on standards and issues related to technical barriers to trade. In 2007, the SCC also provided input to the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) and DFAIT on the Regulatory Cooperation Framework (RCF) between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
• In addition, the SCC implemented a new version of its regulatory notification service Export Alert which provides notice of pending changes to trade-related regulations, as well as the opportunity to comment on proposed measures.

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

• The completion of two (2) of the Canada-Costa Rica capacity building projects:  The Canada Costa Rica Good Regulatory Practice (GRP) Project and the Canada Costa Rica INTECO Standards Project.
• Building on the success of the Costa Rica development project, new technical assistance development proposals for Guyana, Columbia and Peru were developed in 2007 and are currently being considered for funding by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
• Among other competitive advantage and technology and information transfer activities, the SCC provided training to Tunisia in support of the World Bank project on Tunisia’s WTO/TBT Enquiry Point and are currently working with Tunisia to improve their domestic dissemination system.

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 (GoC) 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 Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation (CDSR), Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) and, international initiatives that promote good regulatory practices (GRP) and principles and encourage market openness and internal trade.

Action taken towards Goal Four

• A tri-lateral meeting between the SCC, DFAIT and Industry Canada was held in November to discuss how the SCC could support and collaborate on the priorities and commitments of both departments.
  The research project examining inter-provincial regulatory barriers in Canada’s oil and gas sector and potential standardization solutions to these barriers was conducted and finalized.
• SCC hosted the fall meeting of the National Public Safety Advisory Committee (NPSAC), which focused on strategic directions and priorities for the Committee and a Joint Meeting of NPSAC, PTAC and NRC’s Building Codes Commission Provincial-Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes (PTPACC).
• SCC participation in the consultation process on the new Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation (CDSR) resulted in the inclusion of multiple references to the importance of using standardization throughout regulatory lifecycle.
• A draft communications plan has been developed to support related outreach activities to federal and provincial-territorial governments including regulators.
• SCC signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Natural Resource Canada, Environment Canada and Transport Canada.
• SCC developed a product and incident recall database. The database will provide consumers and regulators with a one-stop source of information on certified product recalls and incidents.
• SCC renewed the Agreements with the Canadian Para-Mutual Agency for the accreditation of labs conducting equine testing and CFIA for the accreditation of food testing labs.
  Discussions are underway with Environment Canada to accredit their Environmental Choice program.
• SCC expanded the Agreement with BNQ to include the assessment of medical laboratories in Quebec.

Goal Five: Represent Fully the Range of NSS Stakeholers

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

• The Member Program Working Group completed its examination of the Member Program section (5.1) of the Canadian Standards Strategy and will provide a report for consideration of the future priorities for the program in early 2008.

Goal Six: Communicate Effectively the Benefits of Standardization

The 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

• SCC met with the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) on May 22, 2007 on the topic of their Environmental Leadership Initiative and possible collaboration between CCCE and SCC.
• Meetings were held with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) on the maintenance of safe drinking water on reserves.
• Several discussions were held with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) to inform the organization about the NSS and its benefits and to gauge their interest in becoming involved in the NSS.
• SCC met with the new President of the CFIA to discuss the NSS, the Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulations and the new regulation on organic products.
• Presentations were delivered by SCC to various parties during 2007, for example, the Alberta Government, Workplace Safety Insurance Boards, Canadian Industry Transportation Association and others.
• Presentations were also delivered by SCC’s Executive Director (e.g. the Privacy Commissioners of Canada, the Bureau of Standards Jamaica) and SCC Council Member Charles Lafleche (e.g. the Standardization and Innovation in Information Technology Conference).
• SCC sponsored and/or attended a number of events including: the Canadian Coalition for Quality in Laboratory Medicine AGM; the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, 2007 International Trade Day; and the Canadian Standards Association Annual General Meeting.
• SCC exhibited at a number of venues, including: Canada-Ontario Economic Forum; SES/IFAN Conference; NCSLI Annual Workshop & Symposium; and Industry Canada’s Small Business Expo, and others.
• SCC also hosted a number of  events, including: SCC's Canadian Leadership Forum; the IAAC General Assembly 2007; 2007 World Standards Day event; and IEC Multinational.
• CONSENSUS Magazine, featuring articles that illustrate the many ways that standardization contributes to society, was distributed to close to ten thousand stakeholders.
• In addition, the report on the "Economic Value of Standardization" was also published, disseminated and continues to be promoted.