Standards Council of CanadaSCCPromote efficient and effective voluntary standardization in Canada, where
standardization is not expressly provided for by law and, in particular, to
1) promote the participation of Canadians in voluntary standards
activities,
2) promote public-private sector cooperation in relation to voluntary
standardization in Canada,
3) coordinate and oversee the efforts of the persons and organizations
involved in the National Standards System,
4) foster quality, performance and technological innovation in Canadian
goods and services through standards-related activities, and
5) develop standards-related strategies and long-term objectives,
in order to advance the national economy, support sustainable development,
benefit the health, safety and welfare of workers and the public, assist and protect
consumers, facilitate domestic and international trade and further international
cooperation in relation to standardization.1ParticipationPromote the participation of Canadians in voluntary
standards activities1.1National Standards SystemPromote the Use of the National Standards System (NSS)Contribution to Mandate: This strategy supports all aspects of the SCC mandate.
Impact Measure: Total number of participants involved in standards development
committees, total number of standards referenced in legislation.
Actions: i. finalize the SCC communication plan and implement it
throughout the broader constituencies of NSS members
ii. continue to support the NSS Communications and
Marketing Committee1.2VolunteersImplement a Volunteer ProgramContribution to Mandate: Many of the Council’s activities, and the effective functioning of
the NSS, depend on volunteers.
Impact Measure: Increase in numbers of volunteers, and positive feedback from
volunteers undertaking the new program.
Actions: i. provide resourcing for program development and delivery
ii. develop recruitment, orientation and training materials
iii. develop volunteer recognition system
iv. coordinate volunteer programs with SDOs and other major
NSS partners1.3Social PolicyEnsure that standards development processes support social policy
objectivesContribution to Mandate: The mandate of the SCC involves economic objectives such as
trade and technology development, and supporting sustainable
development, benefiting the health, safety and welfare of
workers and the public, and assisting and protecting consumers.
Impact Measure: Every standards development process carried out under the
jurisdiction of the SCC will include consideration of current and
emerging social policy objectives.
Actions: i. Review relevant CAN-P documents (National standards
System operational guides) for inclusion of social policy
objectives.
ii. Establish procedures and timelines for revision of CAN-P
documents as necessary.1.4Emerging IndustriesConnect Emerging Industries to Standardization ActivityContribution to Mandate: New industries are often the emerging employment generators of
the new economy and developers of key new technologies. As
such, they are critical to national economic development.
Impact Measure: Establishment of standards contacts (individuals or groups) in
emerging industrial sectors.
Actions: i. Assemble information on relevant standards activity for
selected new industries
ii. conduct seminars on standardization issues for individuals
from these industries1.5Developing CountriesEngage Developing Countries in International StandardizationContribution to Mandate: Supporting the standardization efforts of developing
countries facilitates domestic and international trade and
furthers international cooperation in relation to
standardization. It also has potential to support consumer
protection and global sustainable development.
Impact Measure: Increase in the number of developing countries assisted by
Canada in standardization.
Actions: i. through CAC-DEVCO, provide assistance to developing
countries in establishing their technical and administrative
infrastructure
ii. Build contacts between CAC-DEVCO and trade and
development agencies and experts in Canada (e.g. CIDA)
iii. Record and report on current efforts2Public-Private CooperationPromote public-private sector cooperation in relation to
voluntary standardization in Canada2.1Mutual Recognition AgreementsIdentify and make available to stakeholders the objectives and strategies
underlying trade-related Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)Contribution to Mandate: MRAs are a key component of international cooperation on
standards issues and facilitate Canadian trade success.
Impact Measure: Stakeholder awareness of and confidence in MRA strategies
Actions: i. Develop a strategic decision-making model for application
to new MRA activity.
ii. Establish communications avenues that will let key
stakeholders provide input into the prioritization of MRA
activity.2.2Internal TradeProvide Support for the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)Contribution to Mandate: This measure contributes to the SCC mandate to facilitate
domestic trade.
Impact Measure: Greater recognition and use of standardization mechanisms in
AIT activity.
Actions: i. identify opportunities and offer to advise the Committee of
Ministers for Internal Trade (CMIT) of opportunities for
greater provincial and territorial government use of the
NSS to remove internal trade barriers.
ii. Build specific action items through PTAC workplans.2.3Public PolicyMake Standards and Conformity Assessment a Full Part of the Public
Policy DebateContribution to Mandate: Public policy deals with economic growth, sustainable
development, health, safety and welfare, consumer
protection and domestic and international trade.
Impact Measure: Increased awareness of standards and conformity assessment
among public policy officials.
Actions: i. Support Industry Canada and PTAC efforts to advance
standards issues in public policy agendas.
ii. Ensure that communications and marketing strategies
target public sector decision makers3National Standards SystemCoordinate and oversee the efforts of the persons and
organizations involved in the National Standards System3.1FundingEmploy Innovative Funding MechanismsContribution to Mandate: The SCC’s continuing ability to meet its mandate depends on
innovation in resource and service issues.
Impact Measure: Deployment of new funding approaches.
Actions: i. develop a funding proposal designed to ensure that
resources are targeted at key priorities, including Canadian
involvement in standardization activities at the
international level
ii. develop a reporting mechanism to inform stakeholders of
progress, accomplishments and other information that will
tell them how their time and financial contributions are
being used.3.2Policy and Analytical SupportProvide policy development and analysis support to the Advisory
Committees of CouncilContribution to Mandate: The Advisory Committees of Council contribute NSS
perspectives to Council decision-making. Their effectiveness is
largely contingent on effective policy support.
Impact Measure: Advisory Committee satisfaction with support provided.
Actions: i. Identify adequate policy resources for each Advisory
Committee
ii. Ensure coordination of Advisory Committee-related policy
staff and issues.3.3Web PortalDevelop a Web Portal for the NSSContribution to Mandate: This strategy supports SCC’s leadership role in the NSS and as
such contributes to all of its mandate aspects.
Impact Measure: Customer feedback on quality and utility of SCC web site.
Actions: i. develop and disseminate collaborative, system-wide
marketing and information material, using messages,
themes, tools and information sharing approaches which
are acceptable and useful to the NSS.
ii. Improve architecture and navigation consistent with
internet norms.
iii. Ensure that users have full connectivity to international
standards organization sites.
iv. Ensure that the site provides a modern suite of facilitation,
collaboration, and communication tools.
v. Assess needs for support for individuals and groups who
are not currently connected electronically.3.4New Programs and ServicesWhere appropriate, develop new programs and services to bring independent
programs under the National Standards System.Contribution to Mandate:
This strategy supports SCC’s leadership role in the NSS and
reduces duplication of effort.
Impact Measure:
Reaction of other stakeholders to a coordinated accreditation
service in Canada.
Actions:
i. Identify potential new programs and services
ii. where appropriate, engage new partners to bring
conformity assessment activities working outside the NSS
under the umbrella of the National Standards System
iii. develop new programs and services under the umbrella of
the National Standards System.4Quality, Performance and InnovationFoster quality, performance and technological
innovation in Canadian goods and services through
standards-related activities4.1Electronic CommerceTake Leadership in Developing International Standards for Electronic
CommerceContribution to Mandate: This strategy advances the national economy by
sustaining a key infrastructure element and industrial
sector. Consumer protection is also an important aspect
of e-commerce standardization activity. International
cooperation in relation to standardization is the thrust of
this strategy.
Impact Measure: Number and reach of coordination mechanisms established,
formal proposals developed, international leadership roles held.
Actions: i. establish working groups, networks and forums to identify
and develop standardization approaches for priority
electronic commerce issues
ii. mobilize concerned industries and federal, provincial and
territorial departments to establish funding to support
coordination efforts4.2AccreditationMove Toward a Global Accreditation RegimeContribution to Mandate: Canadian efforts to unify the myriad national, regional
and international accreditation systems will contribute
directly to the facilitation of international trade and the
furtherance of international cooperation in relation to
standardization.
Impact Measure: Increase in number of Canadian positions advocating global
accreditation unity, put forward in regional and international
accreditation forums.
Actions: i. actively promote the extension of existing MLAs to include
programs not yet covered.
ii. join the Interamerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC)
iii. rationalize and prioritize SCC participation in regional
accreditation bodies4.3Conformity AssessmentExamine the Use of Alternative Conformity Assessment PracticesContribution to Mandate: As conformity assessment tools and approaches evolve,
they have a direct impact on corporate economic
performance and trade success, as well as the health,
safety and welfare of workers and the public and
consumer protection.
Impact Measure: Availability of information on the use, risks, benefits and other
impacts of new conformity assessment practices.
Actions: i. Through ACCA, coordinate NSS partner research and
policy development activities
ii. Examine conditions for success of various approaches,
impacts on various stakeholders, costs and benefits, etc.4.4Management System StandardsExamine/Evaluate Management System StandardsContribution to Mandate: Management system standards such as ISO 9000 and 14000 are
increasingly popular global quality approaches and affect the
ability of many companies to supply goods and services
nationally and internationally.
Impact Measure: Quantity of information on management system standards
developed and provided to the public.
Actions: i. Finalize and distribute existing analyses
ii. Maintain information to NSS stakeholders and public on
developments in management system standards.
iii. Coordinate the development of case studies in the field.4.5Technical CommitteesEstablish a Broader Mandate for Technical Committees under CNC-ISO
and CNC-IECContribution to Mandate: This strategy will contribute to a strengthening of
domestic and international trade and will further
international cooperation in relation to standardization.
It has the potential to involve Canadian advisory
committees in social policy areas as well.
Impact Measure: Development of Committee Business Plans that expand their
focus, impact and contribution to Council.
Actions: i. Draw on sectoral and stakeholder input to develop
priorities for ISO and IEC activity at the technical and
policy committee levels to enhance their effectiveness.
ii. Develop recommendations for new areas of CNC focus,
including emerging global and regional standardization
forums.
iii. Establish more substantive ties to federal, provincial and
territorial governments regarding standardization issues in
the ISO and IEC domain.4.6Metrological InfrastructureStrengthen Canada’s metrological infrastructureContribution to Mandate: The national metrological infrastructure is one of the bases of
international trade, economic growth and consumer protection.
Impact Measure: National and international confidence in Canada’s metrology
system.
Actions: i. Continue to support and encourage NRC/INMS in this
activity and in all aspects of its role as Canada's National
Metrology Institute.5Strategies and ObjectivesDevelop standards-related strategies and long-term
objectives5.1National PositionsCreate and Maintain a Framework for Developing National PositionsContribution to Mandate: All aspects of the SCC mandate, and in particular
facilitating domestic and international trade and
furthering international cooperation in relation to
standardization, demand prioritization of effort and
resources.
Impact Measure: Application of framework to SCC and NSS decisions.Actions: i. Develop and maintain a list of international participation
activities
ii. Establish a framework of priorities, objectives and
strategies for Canadian participation in international
(including multilateral, regional, bilateral) standardization
forums, and develop national positions from this
framework in preparation for international participation,
agreements and events.
iii. Undertake strategic planning with respect to the hosting of
major regional and international standardization events and
meetings.5.2Priority SettingDevelop, implement and maintain processes for setting priorities for
standardization activities in the areas of health, safety, the environment
and other social issuesContribution to Mandate: This strategy directly meets the SCC mandate of
supporting sustainable development, benefiting the
health, safety and welfare of workers and the public and
assisting and protecting consumers.
Impact Measure: Number of standards-related activities dealt with by Advisory
Committee workplans in new social policy areas.
Actions: i. Through the Advisory Committees, establish
subcommittees, working groups and other advisory
mechanisms to provide input on standardization issues in
social policy areas.
ii. Establish priorities for social policy standards work via the
Advisory Committee workplans where appropriate.
iii. Review the work of the CSS Environmental advisory group
for the potential to establish a template for new approaches
to standardization work in social policy areas, focusing on
resource issues, key stakeholder relationships, research
requirements and action plans and priorities.5.3CapacityDevelop and maintain the capacity for standards-related policy
development, analysis and disseminationContribution to Mandate: One of the underpinnings of the SCC’s capacity to lead the
National Standards System is its ability to provide or coordinate
research and policy development and analysis. This strategy is
critical to the Council’s capacity to undertake most other
strategic directions in this Plan.
Impact Measure: Recognition by NSS partners and stakeholders of the availability
of high quality policy service at the Council.
Actions: i. Identify resources to support the hiring of policy staff at
SCC
ii. Ensure that all operational units of the SCC have or have
access to policy resources
iii. Build linkages between SCC policy services and those of
other key stakeholders, including government, sectoral
groups and NGOs.5.4Sectoral ParticipationGenerate Strategic Sectoral ParticipationContribution to Mandate: SCC’s ability to meet all aspects of its mandate depends on
building effective linkages to all relevant sectors of society and
the economy.
Impact Measure: Two-way communication flows between SCC and major
economic and social sectors.
Actions: i. Identify existing sectoral structures, associations and
networks which could be built into the SCC advisory
network
ii. Establish agreements with sectoral representatives on the
nature of sectoral-SCC links5.5NAFTAFacilitate Consumer Input to the NAFTAContribution to Mandate: This strategy contributes to the SCC’s mandate to assist
and protect consumers, facilitate domestic and
international trade and further international cooperation
in relation to standardization.
Impact Measure: Creation of formal, long-term, effective avenues for consumer
input to NAFTA forums.
Actions: i. Through the Advisory Committees, explore with
representatives of the U.S., Mexico and the standards
community the possibility of establishing a body similar to
ANEC.5.6PlanningImplement Consistent Business Planning PracticesContribution to Mandate: The core capacity of the Standards Council to deliver its
mandated programs and activities is enhanced by this objective.
Impact Measure: Every SCC Branch will have annual business plans that integrate
the SCC mandate, strategic directions, budget plans, HR plans
and performance indicators.
Actions: i. Continue to develop and monitor Critical Performance
Indicators, moving wherever possible to impact indicators.
ii. Synchronize activity, budget and HR planning.