1: Standards Bodies
Influence the formation, evolution and operation of standardization bodies that are important to Canada Other Information:
Canada has a proven track record as a leader of, and valued contributor to, international standards development activities.
Canadians have provided thoughtful and balanced input into the development of product, safety, service and conformity assessment
standards. Long-standing Canadian participation in ISO, IEC and JTC-1 and key roles in the development of numerous cornerstone
standards (e.g., ISO 9000, ISO 14000, etc.) have been supported by a well-developed and cooperative national infrastructure.
Canada should continue to influence, both directly and indirectly, the policy formation and governance of international standards
development organizations. Canada should also continue participating in key standards-development committees and pursue opportunities
to participate in new cross-cutting standards-development projects (e.g., security, social responsibility, climate change,
etc.). An important means of influencing international standardization activities is participating in regional organizations.
Regional standardization bodies (e.g., the Pacific Area Standards Congress - PASC and the Pan American Standards Commission
- COPANT) are excellent fora for collaborative policy development and information exchange on a host of standardization issues.
Canada should seek to influence the growth and governance of these organizations for the mutual benefit of their respective
members and for our own strategic interests. Developments in other standardization bodies (i.e., those not directly related
to ISO & IEC) must also be monitored from a strategic perspective. For example, Canadian participation in organizations such
as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Codex Alimentarius (Codex), the International Bureau of Weights and Measures
(BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) must be observed to ensure consistent approaches. The
multiple demands of the global marketplace often have led to the creation of new organizations, or adaptation on the part
of existing organizations, in order to meet specific standards or conformity assessment demands. Members of the NSS, specifically
the SCC, must be prepared to work cooperatively with new national, regional, and international partners and to build on existing
relationships in pursuit of the benefits of standardization.
Objective(s):
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