Canadian General Standards Board

“Standardization for Canadian Military Assistance Dog Services”

Presentation to The Canadian Foundation for Animal-Assisted Support Service

November 2013

CGSB Overview

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• Part of the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act - Sections 7, 15 and 16

• 1998 Order-in-Council – extend the Minister’s authority to provide services to the private sector

• Standards Council of Canada Act (Industry Canada) – accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (Crown corporation reporting directly to the Minister of Industry)

• Covered under the Financial Administration Act

CGSB Legislative Framework

• Considered an Optional Service under the current Treasury Board Common Services Policy

CGSB Policy Framework

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• The CGSB is mandated by an Order in Council and accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) to provide standards development and conformity assessment services, including programs for certification of personnel, products and services, registration of quality (ISO 9001) and environmental management systems (ISO 14001), as well as advisory services.

• These services are provided in support of socio-economic, regulatory, procurement, health, safety, trade and environmental interests of Canada.

• These services are provided on a cost-recovery basis.

CGSB Mandate

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CGSB Organizational Structure

Public Works and Government

Services Canada

Acquisitions Branch

Services and Specialized Acquisitions Management Sector

Canadian General Standards Board

Quality and Environmental Management Systems

Registration

Standards Division

Conformity Assessment Division

Certification and Qualification of

Products and Services

Personnel Certification 5

CGSB Highlights

• Unique centre of expertise within the Government of Canada for standardization services

• Active participant in the National Standards System

• Only federal body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for:

– Standards Development

– Standardization writing advice

– ISO 9001 and 14001 registrar

• Network of over 2000 volunteers providing technical expertise

• Operates on full cost-recovery 6

CGSB History

Timeline

1934 The Canadian Government Purchasing Standards Committee (CGPSC) established in the National Research Council

1965 CGPSC transferred to the former Department of Defence Production (now PWGSC)

1980 CGPSC renamed the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)

1996 CGSB becomes a registrar for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

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Overview of Standards Development Services

• National Standards of Canada

• CGSB Standards

• Joint & Bi-national Standards

• Government of Canada Forms

CGSB develops…

• Standards writing advice

• Secretariat services

• Standards consultation services

CGSB provides...

• Crown and Acquisitions Fiduciary Responsibilities

• Stakeholders’ health and safety, quality, economic and environmental interests

In support of…

• Canadian context

• Harmonization with national and international standards Based on…

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CGSB Standards Development Major Areas and Activities

ACQUISITIONS

• Petroleum and lubricants

• Office equipment, supplies and furniture

• Electronic records as documentary evidence

• Textile test methods

• National Flag of Canada

FOOD

• Food safety

• Organic agriculture

• Organic aquaculture

• Labelling of genetically engineered food 9

CGSB Standards Development Major Areas and Activities – cont’d NATIONAL SECURITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection for first responders

• Geomatics

• Marine safety

• Non-destructive testing

• Tent flammability

• Personnel qualifications and competencies

• Protective clothing

• Research ethics boards

• Transportation of dangerous goods

• Toy Safety

• Textile flammability

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

• Glass

• Fencing

• Paint

• Thin films

• Radon Mitigation

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• Health Canada

• Transport Canada

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

• Natural Resources Canada

• Fisheries and Oceans

• Environment Canada

Major Government Clients

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Standards and Benefits

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“STANDARDIZATION”

• A document established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics of products, services or systems

Standard

• The practice of determining if a product, service or system meets the requirement of applicable standards.

Conformity Assessment

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• Supports stakeholders’ economic, regulatory, health, safety and environmental interests

• Facilitates the acquisition and contracting of goods and services

• Harmonizes diverse standards and requirements

• Provides sound quality base for products and services

• Helps Canadians compete internationally

Standards Development

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Benefits of Standards

• Better than Regulation

– Typically faster, with less costs, than regulations, as members are volunteer experts

• Better than industry specifications

– Government of Canada ‘brand’ recognition

– Not seen as ‘industry biased’

• Voluntary but can be made into regulation

– Voluntary document which is desired by industry, but can be put into regulation

– Can also lead to certification, both of label and content of label

• Bilingual Version

– All services provided in both official languages as required

– CGSB must produce both English and French 15

Why Consensus Standards Work

Standards work because they are: – based on expert knowledge

– financially and technically feasible

– widely accepted

– compatible with international standards

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Standards Development Philosophy

People Knowledgeable, balanced, multi-stakeholder committees of national experts.

Partnerships in pursuit of common goals.

Members develop the standard.

Process Consensus facilitates implementation.

Public review ensures transparency and access.

Accredited process ensures credibility.

Product Technical rigour through balanced participation, consensus and standards-development expertise.

CGSB and National Standard of Canada documents systematically maintained/updated

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National Standards System (NSS)

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Standard

Development Process

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Process of voluntary-standards development

1.Problem is identified or request is made.

2.Look for solution internationally.

3.Secure resources and establish committee.

4.Committee reviews the issues and develops a standard.

5.Public, Standards Development Organization and Standards Council of Canada review.

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Standard Development Requirements

CAN-P-1:2011 Canadian Standards Development System Requirements – Part 1 - Requirements for Accreditation as a Standards

Development Organization

– Part 2 - Requirements for the Approval of National Standards of Canada

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Governing Principles The following principles govern CGSB’s standards development process:

• Consensus

• Equal access and effective participation by concerned interests

• Respect for diverse interests and identification of those who should be afforded access to provide the needed balance of interests

• Mechanism for dispute resolution

• Openness and transparency

• Open access by interested parties to the procedures guiding the standards development process

• Clarity with respect to the processes

• Canadian interest consideration as the initial basis for the development of standards

• Avoiding duplication of standards and efforts while demonstrating respect for the Canadian concept of subject area recognition of responsibility 22

International Commitments

Annex 3 of the WTO TBT Agreement “Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards”

• Governs standardization activities of members • Mechanism for openness and transparency

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Standards Development - Considerations

• Consider adopting relevant International Standards

• Performance-based Standards

• Shall meet the needs of the marketplace

• Shall contribute the advancement of free trade

• Shall not specify trademarked or patented material

• Shall not fix prices or exclude competition

• Shall promote technological development

• Shall comply with Canadian regulations

• Administrative and conformity assessment requirements should be presented separately

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Development Perspective

• Committee Membership – Balanced matrix – no one group dominates

– Canadian viewpoints and requirements

– Restricted in size

– Open – do not restrict membership

– Voting and information members

– Consumer and Public interest representation

• Canadian Perspective – National representation

– By Canadians, for Canadians

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Technical Committee Matrix

• Information Members

• CGSB Project Manager

• Technical Committee Chair

Producer User

Regulatory General Interest

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Consensus

Standards are developed through a consensus process, by

committees of volunteers, representing public and private sector stakeholders who are experts in their fields working according to approved procedures.

Consensus: A general agreement, characterized by the absence of sustained

opposition to substantial issues by any important part of the concerned interests and by a process seeking to take into account the views of all parties concerned and to reconcile any conflicting arguments. it implies much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily

unanimity. 27

Standards Development Process

00 Preliminary CGSB evaluates requests for new work items to develop or

maintain standards

10 Proposal CGSB further evaluates and finalizes proposed new work item and required funding in discussions with requester

20 Drafting The public is advised of the existence of the new work item

and the first drafts are prepared

30 Committee Development

The draft is further developed and reviewed by TC

40 Public Enquiry

The draft is made available for public comment as TC continues to review draft

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Standards Development Process (cont’d)

50 Committee Approval

The draft is approved by letter-ballot by TC

55 Ratification

The approved draft and documented steps leading to its approval are reviewed by CGSB Panel on Process Assurance (PPA). Proposed standards

are ratified at this stage, and NSCs are submitted to SCC for ratification

60 Publication

The standard is published, public notification given, and distribution initated

90 Review The standards are reviewed in accordance with applicable schedules or

needs and decision is made to amend, revise, reaffirm, or withdraw

95 Withdrawal

Public notification of withdrawal is given, a letter ballot or consultation is held, PPA approval is sought, and withdrawal notice is published 29

Standards Implementation Possibilities and Strategies

• Streamlining Regulations and as an “instrument for government action”

– Incorporation into Regulatory Regime

– Alternative to Regulation

• Other Potential References – Procurement scheme

– Government program

– User- or Industry-driven 30

Contact Information

Canadian General Standards Board Place du Portage, Phase III, 6B1 11 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0S5

Phone: 1-800-665-2472 Website: www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ongc-cgsb

Fax: 819-956-5740 E-mail: ncr.cgsb-ongc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Begonia Lojk

A/Director

T: 819-956-0383 E: Begonia.Lojk@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Patricia Wait Manager, Standards Division

T: 819-956-0777 E: Patricia.Wait@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

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