Q: What is a National Standard of Canada?

A: The designation National Standard of Canada indicates that a standard is recognized as  the official Canadian standard in a particular subject area or topic. Before a standard can become a national standard, it must be approved by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), Canada’s national accreditation body. Inclusion of the abbreviation CAN in the prefix of the standard's reference number indicates that a particular standard has been designated a National Standard of Canada.

Approval as a National Standard of Canada, indicates that the development of that standard has met certain requirements, including that it be:

• Developed by consensus from a balanced committee of stakeholders; 
• Subjected to public scrutiny; 
• Published in both official languages
• Consistent with or incorporates existing international and pertinent foreign standards; and
• Not act as a barrier to trade. 

National Standards of Canada may be developed in Canada or adopted, with or without changes, from international standards.