History of SCC

Among the defining moments in the Standards Council of Canada (SCC)'s history, are:

1964 - The federal government conducts a comprehensive review of standards activity in Canada. The study identifies a number of areas for improvement, including:

• Coordination and long-term planning;
• Support from industry and government; and
• Canadian involvement in international standardization.

1970 - The Standards Council of Canada Act receives Royal Assent, and the federal government establishes the Standards Council of Canada.

1972 - Canada first holds a seat on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)'s governing Council.

1973 - SCC accredits four standards development organizations. Three of these organizations are still active participants in the National Standards System.

1973 - SCC publishes its first information booklet.

1976 - SCC starts selling standards.

1977 - The SCC creates what is now the Information and Research Service.

1980 - The first certification organization is accredited.

1981 - The first two laboratories are accredited.

1988 - Roy A. Phillips is elected the first Canadian president of ISO. SCC later commemorates this achievement by naming an award in Mr. Phillips' honour in 2002.

1993 - The first three quality management systems registration bodies earn their accreditations, followed in later years by environmental management systems registration bodies and auditor course providers and certifiers.

1996 - An extensive public consultation leads to a major revision of the Standards Council of Canada Act. Changes include:

• Reducing the governing Council from 57 members to 15;
• Expanding the scope of SCC activities to address the environment, information technology, natural resources and service sectors;
• Authorizing the SCC to sign recognition agreements with foreign counterparts and advise the federal government on standards-related aspects of international trade agreements.

2000 - The Canadian Standards Strategy is launched. The Strategy provides direction and leadership on how to use standardization to advance the social and economic well being of Canadians. Its recommendations continue to underpin SCC plans and strategies.

2002 - An Order to expand the list of countries in which the SCC can accredit conformity assessment organizations is published in the Canada Gazette. The list now includes countries that are members of the World Trade Organization.

2005 - SCC launches the Canadian Standards Strategy Update: 2005-2008.